Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education and vocal social critic, has harshly criticized the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, and the National Assembly over the proposed Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which seeks to impose severe penalties on Nigerians who refuse to recite the national anthem.

The bill, introduced by Abbas, outlines that individuals found guilty of not reciting the national anthem could face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both. This legislation has sparked significant controversy and concern among citizens and public figures.

Reacting via her X handle, Ezekwesili described the bill as a “silly flight of fancy” and questioned the relevance of lawmakers who, she argues, are disconnected from the pressing issues facing Nigeria. She emphasized that the proposed legislation reflects how “unserious and irrelevant” the National Assembly has become in addressing the country’s real problems.

Ezekwesili also reiterated her refusal to sing the recently reinstated old national anthem, “Nigeria We Hail Thee,” which President Bola Tinubu signed into law in May 2024. She challenged the National Assembly to prosecute her for her defiance, stating that she only stands for and sings the current national anthem, “Arise O Compatriots.”

In a series of pointed remarks, Ezekwesili stated, “I for example have kept my public statement and only stand and sing the REAL Nigerian National Anthem (Arise O Compatriots), never the Colonial and ‘tribal’ one that he and his colleagues conspired with @NGRPresident and kangarooed into ‘law’ in violation of Constitutional processes. Get ready to ‘prosecute’ me when you pass your noxious #CounterSubversionBill into an Act.”

She further condemned the actions of the National Assembly, accusing them of consistently undermining Nigeria’s progress through “legendary public misdemeanors” that contribute to bad governance. Ezekwesili urged lawmakers to focus on the urgent needs of the country instead of pursuing what she termed “irrelevancies.”