Aisha Yesufu and Ezekwesili risk imprisonment as lawmakers seek 10-year sentences for Nigerians who do not sing the national anthem

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

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Aisha Yesufu, Bola Tinubu and Oby Ezekwesili 

Former Minister of Solid Minerals Oby Ezekwesili and activist Aisha Yesufu face 10 years in prison or a N5 million fine under a new law proposed by the House of Representatives that wants harsher penalties for Nigerians who refuse to perform the national anthem.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas of the House of Representatives supported the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which penalises citizens who refuse to sing the new and controversial hymn, 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee'.

 Speaker House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas [Photo credit: THISDAY]

Also, if the measure passes, Nigerians found guilty of destroying national symbols (including the flag) in order to weaken the government will face a N5 million fine or a 10-year prison sentence.

The draft law "stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence, or undermining the federal government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both."

Since President Bola Tinubu reverted to the earlier hymn in May, several residents, notably Mses Ezekwesili and Yesufu, have insisted on singing the 'Arise O Compatriots' anthem rather than nothing at all.

A video posted on Ms Yesufu's X page shortly after the president approved the 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee' hymn showed her reclining comfortably at a party, leafing over the pages of a magazine, while other participants stood to sing the new anthem.

Ms Yesufu's caption for the video, which had over two million views on X, was "#NotMyNationalAnthem".

#NotMyNationalAnthem pic.twitter.com/Ysx1j0Atgv.

Aisha Yesufu [Photo credit: Dailly Trust]

In subsequent videos, the activist said that given the country's severe economic and security difficulties, the administration had more serious concerns that needed immediate attention and action than returning to the previously used anthem.

In the midst of intense disputes over whether it was proper or wrong to flagrantly violate the national anthem, Mrs Ezekwesili threw her support behind Mrs Yesufu.

Oby Ezekwesili [Credit: Global Business School]

The former minister stated that "whenever and wherever the national anthem is called for, I shall continue to sing #AriseOCompatriots as #MyNationalAnthem."

"Definitely #NotMyNationalAnthem as I have already publicly conveyed," the 61-year-old former minister tweeted.

She accused Mr Tinubu and the Senate of not following due process when amending the Act.

"The lawmakers @nassnigeria and the @NGRPresident grievously breached the constitutional provisions and process for amendment of legislation and therefore cannot foist another national anthem on us," said Ms. Ezekwesili in June. "I refuse to join them in the Kangaroo Act of violating the Constitution."

If the parliament passes the measure and the president signs it, the government may have sufficient grounds to prosecute Mses Ezekwesili and Yesufu if they refuse to perform the song.