Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly criticized the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the National Assembly for their support of the Counter Subversion Bill 2024. This proposed legislation seeks to impose severe penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the national anthem, including a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.
Ezekwesili expressed her disapproval on her X (formerly Twitter) account, calling the bill a “silly flight of fancy” that highlights the lawmakers’ disconnect from the pressing issues facing Nigerians. She further condemned the National Assembly’s focus on such legislation, which she considers irrelevant to the country’s dire situation.
The former minister also reiterated her refusal to sing the old national anthem, which President Bola Tinubu reinstated earlier this year. She challenged the National Assembly to prosecute her if the bill becomes law, questioning the priorities of the country’s leaders.
Ezekwesili concluded her criticism by accusing the lawmakers of subverting Nigeria’s progress through their actions, urging them to heed the public’s demand to end bad governance. She warned that the country’s current path is unsustainable and that the focus on trivial matters is out of touch with the needs of the Nigerian people.
