Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has accused the Speaker of the House of Representatives of attempting to destroy what is left of Nigeria’s democratic experiment.
Effiong stated, “Those who are subverting the country through corruption and anti-people actions are seeking to further cripple the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
The statement comes amid reports that a bill, sponsored by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, is awaiting its second reading. The bill proposes a 25-year imprisonment or a N10 million fine, or both, for anyone convicted of making a statement or taking an action that leads to separatist agitation or inter-group or sectional conflict in the country.
According to The Sun, the bill stipulates that any person who destroys national symbols, refuses to recite the national anthem and pledge, defaces a place of worship with the intent to cause violence, or subverts the Federal Government shall, upon conviction, be liable to a fine of N5 million or 10 years imprisonment, or both.
The bill also states that any person who mounts an illegal roadblock, engages in illegal road traffic functions, imposes illegal curfews, or conducts illegal processions shall, upon conviction, be liable to a fine of N2 million or five years imprisonment, or both.
It also prescribes a fine of N4 million or two years imprisonment for a person convicted of castigating, denigrating, embarrassing, or bringing into disrepute the leadership of a community, religion, lawful group, local government, state, or federal government.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Effiong urged people to fight against and reject the bill in its entirety.
The legal expert stressed that if the bill is passed, Nigerians could officially say goodbye to the right to dissent.
He said, “Parliamentary coup plotters are out again to overthrow our democracy with this silly and draconian bill.
“I hope that Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings, will unanimously reject and resist this 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 Representatives 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.”
