House of Reps proposes 10-year imprisonment for Nigerians who refuse to recite new national anthem

The House of Representatives has introduced a new bill called the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, with the goal of enforcing strict penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the national anthem.

Under the proposed law, individuals who refuse to recite the national anthem could face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both. The same punishment would apply to those who damage a national symbol or place of worship.

The Bill, sponsored by Speaker 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”.

Also, 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 also added among others.

In May, President Bola Tinubu approved the bill to reinstate Nigeria’s old national anthem, which had been discontinued by a military government in 1978. The newly reinstated anthem, starting with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.

Since the reintroduction of the old anthem, some citizens, such as former Minister of Solid Minerals Oby Ezekwesili and activist Aisha Yesufu, have expressed their preference for singing the ‘Arise O Compatriots’ anthem or refusing to sing any anthem at all.