Widespread condemnation trails Counter Subversion Bill

Although already withdrawn, the Counter Subversion Bill 2024 sponsored by Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker House of Representatives, is still receiving knocks from Nigerians, angry at the draconian nature of the bill and government’s obvious intent in attempting to pass it into law.

According to Daily Sun which broke the story about the Speaker’s sponsorship of the bill, Nigerians took to social media all through yesterday (Wednesday, August 14) in widespread condemnation of the bill and criticism of Speaker Abbas for sponsoring what many have described as an “obnoxious bill.”

Said Amnesty International (AI), the renowned global human rights watchers, on its verified X handle : “The misplaced and ill-timed Counter Subversion Bill 2024 sponsored by the Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas will be open to vague and broad interpretations and can be used to impose incredibly harsh punishments simply for criticizing the Nigerian authorities.

“Amnesty International urges the House of Representatives to focus the legislature in the direction of addressing deep poverty which pushes millions to the brink of starvation.

“At a time millions of Nigerians struggle to feed, such legislation relegates the well-being of the people.

“In the countries where such legislation is implemented, the law is being used to target political opponents and punish those who peacefully express views which differ from those of the government. The law had always — and everywhere – turned out to be a tool of repression.”

Human rights lawyer, Inihebe Effiong, also condemned the bill, saying: “Parliamentary coup plotters are out again to overthrow our democracy with this silly and draconian bill.

“I am hoping that Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings, will unanimously reject and resist such an insane bill.

“Those who are subverting our country through corruption and anti-people actions, are seeking to further cripple our fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

“The Speaker of the House of Reps wants to destroy whatever is left of Nigeria’s democratic experiment. We must fight and reject this bill in its entirety. If this ungodly bill is passed, we can officially kiss the right to dissent in Nigeria goodbye.”

For his part, investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, said: “There was never any intention of trying to pass this bill, and it had a 0% chance of passing anyway.

“The purpose of this Nollywood drama was to give Nigerians the illusion of a “victory” and thus defuse the motivation for another protest. It was a distraction.”

Similarly, Abdul Mahmud, also a human rights lawyer, said: “This government suffers from subversive and counter-subversive hysteria.

“If it isn’t, why does it consider legitimate opposition to its anti-people policies, civic protests and citizens’ unrest as subversion and then proposes the Counter-Subversion Bill 2024? Confounding?

“What a government!”