The National Assembly in May passed a bill reverting to the old National Anthem, ‘’Nigeria, We Hail The” and dropping the previous ‘Arise O’ compatriots’.
Some Nigerians including Aisha Yesufu have vowed never to sing or recognise the new anthem. In May, Aisha made news after she refused to stand up while the new anthem was being played.
While reacting to the proposed ‘’CounterSubversionBill that seeks to punish anyone who fails to recite the new anthem, Ms Yesufu via her X handle said she would rather go to jail than sing the new anthem passed into law by ‘’slaves masquerading as lawmakers”.
The Bill, sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, is set for its second reading, where its general principles will be debated.
The Bill “stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both”.
The Bill also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction”.
‘’Any person who forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school, premises, public or private place, arena, or a similar place through duress, undue influence, subterfuge or other similar activities, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both”.
“A person who professes loyalty, pledges or agrees to belong to an organisation that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for a term of four years or both,” it added.
