The House of Representatives has introduced the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which proposes strict penalties for Nigerians who fail to recite the national anthem.
The bill outlines severe consequences, including fines of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both for individuals found guilty of refusing to recite the anthem.
According to the bill, “anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem or pledge, defacing a place of worship with the intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.”
In addition to the national anthem clause, the bill also addresses offenses related to national symbols and places of worship.
Those guilty of destroying or defacing national symbols or places of worship could face the same punishment.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who is sponsoring the bill, has set it for its second reading, where its general principles will be up for debate.
The bill also includes penalties for individuals involved in activities that disrupt public order. “Anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorized traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organizes an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction.”
Furthermore, anyone who forcefully takes over public or private spaces, such as places of worship, schools, or town halls, through coercion or deceit will be subject to a N5 million fine or 10 years in prison.
Additionally, the bill states, “a person who professes loyalty to, pledges allegiance to, or agrees to belong to an organization that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria commits an offense and is liable upon conviction to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for a term of four years, or both.”
In May, President Bola Tinubu signed a bill re-adopting Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was written by Lillian Jean Williams and composed by Frances Berda in 1959. The anthem had previously been replaced by a military government in 1978.
