Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has sharply criticized Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the National Assembly over the proposed Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which seeks to impose heavy penalties on Nigerians who refuse to recite the national anthem. The bill, sponsored by Abbas, stipulates a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both for violators.
Ezekwesili, reacting on her X handle, condemned the bill as a “silly flight of fancy,” highlighting the lawmakers’ lack of seriousness and relevance to Nigeria’s pressing issues. She reaffirmed her stance against singing the old national anthem, which President Bola Tinubu reinstated in May, challenging the National Assembly to prosecute her if the bill becomes law.
Ezekwesili argued that the real subversion lies with the lawmakers themselves, who she accused of consistently undermining Nigeria’s progress through bad governance. She urged the National Assembly to focus on addressing the citizens’ demands to end poor governance instead of pursuing what she described as irrelevant and frivolous legislation, warning them that the country’s patience is running thin.
Peoplesmind
