The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has addressed the controversy surrounding the Counter Subversion Bill following recent media reports.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the Speaker emphasized the need to clarify misconceptions about the bill.
“The attention of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has been drawn to reports in certain media outlets regarding the Counter Subversion Bill, which he sponsored,” the statement read.
“The Speaker appreciates the interest Nigerians have shown in the Bill, which is concerned with our national security. However, due to misinterpretations and misleading reports, it has become necessary to clarify several points about the Bill.”
According to the statement, the Counter Subversion Bill, 2024 (HB. 1652) was introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
The Bill is still at the introductory stage and falls within Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework.
It aims to address subversive activities carried out by associations, organizations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed groups in the country.
Similar legislation exists in other nations, including the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, and Australia.
The Speaker, along with the entire House of Representatives, welcomed robust discussions and engagements from Nigerians regarding the Bill’s content and how best to address any concerns raised.
The statement further explained the parliamentary process the Bill will undergo.
It will first be listed for Second Reading, where members of the House will thoroughly debate its merits and demerits.
At this stage, members can either decide to reject or advance the Bill.
If it passes the Second Reading, the Bill will be referred to the relevant House Committee for further legislative action.
The Committee is then expected to invite the public, especially relevant stakeholders, to a public hearing, allowing citizens to express their views either in person or through written memoranda.
These inputs will inform the Committee’s report, which will be presented to the House.
Once the report is considered, the Bill will proceed to the Third Reading and, if passed, will be forwarded to the Senate for concurrence.
Should the Senate approve the Bill, it will be sent to the President for assent. The President retains the right to withhold assent if he deems it necessary.
The Speaker reassured Nigerians that the Bill is comprehensive in its approach to national security and does not target any specific group or section of the country.
He also promised that the Bill, along with any other draft legislation before the House, will undergo full legislative processes, providing ample opportunity for Nigerians to contribute their views, which will be taken into account in the final decision on the Bill.
