Oby Ezekwesili has criticized the proposed Counter Subversion Bill, which seeks to penalize Nigerians who refuse to recite the national anthem. She calls the bill "a silly flight of fancy" and questions its relevance. The bill, introduced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, includes severe penalties for various offenses.
Former Nigerian Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili has expressed strong opposition to the proposed Counter Subversion Bill, introduced by the House of Representatives. The bill, which aims to impose severe penalties for failing to recite the national anthem, has been criticized by Ezekwesili as an example of legislative overreach. Under the bill, individuals who refuse to recite the national anthem could face fines of up to N5 million or a prison sentence of up to 10 years, or both. The bill also proposes similar penalties for damaging national symbols, destroying places of worship, and other offenses.
In a reaction posted on her social media account, Ezekwesili criticized the bill as "a silly flight of fancy" and accused lawmakers of being disconnected from Nigeria's real issues. She stated that she would only recite the old national anthem, "Arise O Compatriots," rather than the newly adopted version. Ezekwesili suggested that if the bill were passed, the lawmakers themselves should be the ones prosecuted for subverting the country's progress through poor governance. Her comments reflect broader dissatisfaction with legislative priorities and governance in Nigeria. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is currently under review and poised for further debate.
