Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen on Wednesday reacted to the controversial Counter Subversion Bill, which he sponsored in the house.
Tajudeen argued that similar legislation obtains in other climes with varied appellations, citing the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, and Australia, among others.
The Speaker stressed that the Bill does not target any group or section of the country and is all-encompassing as it relates to Nigeria’s national security.
This was made known in a statement issued on his behalf by Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
According to the statement, the bill falls within the realm of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework, noting that it seeks to address subversive activities by associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed groups in Nigeria.
Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D has been drawn to reports in sections of the media about the Counter Subversion Bill, which he sponsored.
“The Speaker appreciates the interest Nigerians have so far shown in the Bill, which pertains to our national security.
“However, it has become necessary to make the following clarifications, considering the tilted reports and misconceptions about the Bill:
“The Counter Subversion Bill, 2024 (HB. 1652) was introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D. as the sponsor. Thus, the Bill is still at the introductory stage.
“The Bill falls within the realm of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework, and it seeks to address subversive activities by associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed groups in Nigeria.
“Similar legislation obtains in other climes with varied appellations. Such countries include the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, and Australia, among others.
“The Speaker, and by extension the House of Representatives, which is the People’s House, welcome robust engagements and discussions from Nigerians on the contents of the Bill, and how best to address the concerns raised.
“The Speaker assures Nigerians that the Bill is all-encompassing as it relates to Nigeria’s national security and does not target any group or section of the country.”
DAILY POST reported that a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong had accused the Speaker of wanting to destroy whatever is left of Nigeria’s democratic experiment.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Effiong stated that the people must fight and reject the bill in its entirety.
The legal expert claimed that if the bill which he described as ungodly, is passed, the people can officially kiss the right to dissent in Nigeria goodbye.
Effiong said “those who are subverting the country through corruption and anti-people actions are seeking to further cripple the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
DAILY POST reports that the bill is alleged to contain a provision stating that any person who mounts an illegal roadblock, engages in illegal road traffic function, imposes an illegal curfew, or conducts illegal procession, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N2 million or five years jail term or both.
It also prescribes a fine of N4 million or two years imprisonment for a person convicted for castigating, denigrating, embarrassing or bringing to disrepute the leadership of a community, religion, lawful group, local government, state or federal government.
Counter Subversion Bill obtainable in other climes, does not target any group – Abbas
