Ikenga Ugochinyere, the member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives has applauded Speaker, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, over the withdrawal of the controversial Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation.
Abbas on Wednesday withdrew the counter subversion bill after pushback from many Nigerians.
The bill prescribes a 10-year jail term, N5 million fine or both for those who refuse to recite the national anthem and pledge.
The decision, announced in a press statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Krishi, was said to have come after extensive consultations with various stakeholders and a careful assessment of the nation’s current circumstances.
Krishi noted that the withdrawal of the bill underscores Tajudeen’s pledge to never support any legislation that could potentially disrupt the peace and unity of the nation
Reacting, Ugochinyere, the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream, said the decision has proven the legislative agenda that meets the citizens’ yearning and prioritises listening to foster unity.
According to him, the decision also reflects Abbas’ commitment to ensuring that the House remains the People’s House.
He said, “I commend our amiable Speaker, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas over withdrawal of the Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation. He has proven that the desire of the 10th House is to have a legislative agenda that meets the yearnings and aspirations of citizens and with which they would use as a benchmark to evaluate and assess our performance after four years.
”With this decision there is no better way to show that the 10th Houses of Representatives is ready to respond, and urgently too, to the yearnings of those who brought us to the people’s House to do the people’s business.”
