Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn the controversial Counter Subversion Bill after widespread public backlash. The bill, which had only passed the first reading, sparked significant controversy due to its stringent penalties, including a 25-year imprisonment or N10 million fine for those convicted of actions leading to separatist agitation or inter-group conflict.
The bill also proposed severe penalties for acts like refusing to recite the national anthem, defacing places of worship, and undermining the Federal Government. These provisions drew sharp criticism from various quarters, leading to calls for its immediate withdrawal.
On Wednesday, Speaker Abbas initially defended the bill, stating that it was intended to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework. However, later that day, he announced its withdrawal, citing “extensive consultations” with stakeholders and a commitment to preserving national unity.
The decision was welcomed by advocacy groups like the Take It Back Movement, which argued that the bill threatened Nigerians’ fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and assembly. The group urged the House to focus on more pressing issues such as poverty and hunger rather than legislation that could infringe on civil liberties.
