Fresh Protest Looms Over Controversial National Anthem Recitation Bill

A rights advocating organization, The Take It Back Movement, has announced its intention to initiate a new nationwide protest in response to the recently proposed legislation concerning the national anthem.

Naija News reports that this threat comes days following the conclusion of the #EndBadGovernance protests organized by the same group.

It is worth noting that the House of Representatives is currently considering a bill that would impose penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the national anthem.

Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the proposed legislation seeks to enforce a fine of โ‚ฆ5 million or a prison sentence of up to 10 years, or both, for individuals who damage national symbols or refuse to recite the national anthem and pledge.

Reacting in a statement released on Wednesday, the Take It Back Movement expressed strong opposition to the bill, asserting that it poses a threat to the fundamental rights of citizens.

The statement, authored by the organizationโ€™s National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, emphasized that the โ€œbill should be rejected and not enacted into law; instead, the government should focus on addressing the root causes of conflict and division within the nation.โ€

The organization has warned of a nationwide demonstration should the bill be enacted, despite widespread public discontent.

The statement added: โ€œAs a pro-peopleโ€™s movement dedicated to justice and progress, we have observed significant public backlash against the bill, as citizens express their discontent.

โ€œWe perceive this legislation as an effort to stifle the rights of Nigerians, and we proudly stand with the people in raising our voices to condemn this unfair proposal.

โ€œIn solidarity with the people of Nigeria, we unequivocally denounce this proposed repressive legislation and vow to protect the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

โ€œWe will stop at nothing to protect whatever is left of our democratic rights as Nigerians, including mobilizing Nigerians to the streets if this draconian bill is not withdrawn immediatelyโ€.