The House of Representatives has put forward the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which proposes severe penalties for Nigerians who refuse to recite the national anthem.
Under the proposed legislation, those convicted of not reciting the national anthem could face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both. The bill also extends these penalties to individuals who damage national symbols or desecrate places of worship.
Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the bill is scheduled for its second reading, during which its general principles will be discussed.
The bill specifies that those guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing places of worship with the intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government will be subject to a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.
Additionally, the bill outlines penalties for other offenses. For instance, setting up illegal roadblocks, performing unauthorized traffic duties, imposing illegal curfews, or organizing unlawful processions could result in a N2 million fine, five years in prison, or both upon conviction.
The bill also criminalizes the forceful takeover of places of worship, town halls, schools, or similar premises. Those found guilty of such actions could face a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for 10 years, or both. Moreover, anyone who pledges allegiance to an organization that disregards Nigeria’s sovereignty could be fined N3 million or imprisoned for four years, or both.
In May, President Bola Tinubu signed into law a bill that reinstates Nigeria’s old national anthem, which had been abandoned by a military government in 1978. The re-adopted anthem, beginning with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.
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