BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Hon Tajudeen Abbas The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas has withdrawn the controversial bill seeking to jail persons for refusing to recite the new National Anthem and Pledge. Tagged Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation 2024, the bill sponsored by Abbas also prescribed punishment for people that disrespect government officials. Clause 8 of the bill reads: "A person who destroys national symbols, refuses to recite the national anthem and pledge, defaces or abuses a place of worship with the intention of causing violence and subverting the Government of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both." The speaker, who announced the withdrawal of the bill via the X handle of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, had faced backlash from angry Nigerians and non-governmental organi...
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