Get ready to prosecute me if you pass the bill – Oby Ezekwesili reacts to bill that seeks to penalize anyone who refuses to recite the national anthem
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili has warned the House of Representatives to prepare for her prosecution if they pass the Counter Subversion Bill, which she describes as “obnoxious.”
The proposed Counter Subversion Bill 2024, introduced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, seeks to impose severe penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the national anthem. Offenders could face fines of N5 million or a 10-year prison sentence, or both. The bill also includes penalties for destroying national symbols or places of worship.
Additionally, the bill proposes fines and imprisonment for setting up illegal roadblocks, performing unauthorized traffic duties, imposing illegal curfews, or organizing unlawful processions. Other offenses covered include forcibly taking over public or private places and pledging loyalty to organizations that undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
In her response on X, Ezekwesili stated she would only recite the old national anthem, not the new one recently enacted by President Tinubu.
”I am certain that the Speaker of the @HouseNGR @Speaker_Abbas @nassnigeria knows this for a fact.
Surely, he must know that the so-called #CounterSubversionBill which he introduced- and alleged to be in its second reading – is a silly flight of fancy that further reveals how unserious and irrelevant the lawmakers are to the Nigerian condition.
I for example have kept my public statement and only stand and sing the REAL Nigerian National Anthem (Arise O Compatriots), never the Colonial and “tribal” one that he and his colleagues conspired with @NGRPresident and kangarooed into “law” in violation of Constitutional processes.
Get ready to “prosecute” me when you pass your noxious #CounterSubversionBill into an Act.
But before then, please note that if there is any group of Nigerians that deserve a Subversion Act, it is you and your colleagues at the @nassnigeria who consistently subvert the progress of Nigeria and her people through your legendary public misdemeanors that accumulate into Bad Governance.
Your citizens have spoken up in unison asking you and your colleagues in the Executive and Judicial Arms to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria .
You obviously have still not heard the ticking chimes of time.
Continue with your irrelevancies while the country totters….. continue if it pays you.”
