The Take It Back Movement has issued a strong condemnation of the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which was introduced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
According to The PUNCH, the group mentioned that the bill poses a significant threat to Nigerians’ fundamental rights and stands in direct opposition to the essential democratic values of free speech, movement, and assembly.
In a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, and , the Public Relations Officer, Stephen Olabiyi, the group voiced its concerns over the bill, which has reportedly progressed to its second reading in the House.
The bill includes provisions for severe penalties, including a N5 million fine, a 10-year prison term, or both, for actions such as defacing national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, vandalizing places of worship with the intent to incite violence, or undermining the authority of the Federal Government.
The Take It Back Movement has called for the immediate withdrawal of the bill, urging lawmakers to focus on more pressing issues, such as the widespread hunger and poverty that are crippling the nation.
The statement emphasized the need for the government to address the root causes of social unrest rather than resort to punitive measures.
The statement read, “We at the Take It Back Movement vehemently condemn the proposed Counter Subversion Bill introduced on August 14th, 2024, by Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“This bill threatens the fundamental rights of Nigerians, and it seeks to impose excessive penalties on citizens for refusing to recite the national anthem. It also criminalizes civil actions deemed subversive to the government.
“This proposed legislation contradicts the core principles of freedom of speech, assembly, and demonstration that underpin any democratic society.
“Hence, we demand that this bill should be discarded and not be passed into law; rather, the government should redirect its efforts toward tackling the underlying factors that contribute to discord and strife within our country.
“We further charge the House of Representatives to prioritize critical concerns such as widespread hunger, rampant mismanagement, and pervasive poverty, which have severely impacted the people of Nigeria.”
The movement warned that the legislation appears to be an attempt to curtail the rights of citizens and stifle dissent.
They reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights of Nigerians, vowing to oppose the “repressive” bill and any similar attempts to undermine democratic freedoms.
