The Speaker of House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has clarified that the target of the Counter Subversion Bill is to address subversive activities by associations, organisations, and others as a larger war against terrorism.
A statement from the media office of the speaker on Wednesday said the clarification became necessary due to the interest shown in the bill.
The bill which also forbids protests and processions has been condemned with critics saying it’s aims to stifle public opinion and scrutiny of government in a democracy.
Abbas who sponsored the bill however said although the bill is still at the introductory stage, Nigerians will have the chance to voice their consent or dissent wherever applicable when it reaches the stage for the house to hold a public hearing.
He explained that the “bill falls within the realm of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework, and it seeks to address subversive activities by associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed groups in Nigeria.”
The speaker pointed out that “similar legislation obtains in other climes with varied appellations. Such countries include the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, Australia, among others.”
The statement said the speaker, and by extension the House of Representatives, “welcome robust engagements and discussions from Nigerians on the contents of the bill, and how best to address the concerns raised.”
By Parliamentary processes and procedures, it noted that the bill would have to be listed for second reading, where members will thoroughly scrutinise its merits and demerits during debate.
“At this stage, members can decide to ‘kill’ or allow the bill to pass. But if it scales second reading, it would be referred to the relevant committee of the house for further legislative action.”
The statement further explained that at the stage of the committee, it “must as a matter of responsibility invite the Nigerian public, particularly relevant stakeholders, to a public hearing on the bill.
“It is expected that citizens would bear their minds either physically or via memoranda on the bill.
“Their inputs would form the basis for the committee’s report, to be laid on the floor of the house,” the statement added.
The speaker noted that “after the consideration of the report, the Bill will be passed for the third reading and forwarded to the senate for concurrence.
“If the senate deems it fit and concurs with the bill, a clean copy would be transmitted to the president for assent. Mr. President reserves the right to withhold assent to the bill.”
The Speaker assured Nigerians that “the bill is all-encompassing as it relates to Nigeria’s national security and does not target any group or section of the country.”
The speaker further promised that “the bill, and indeed any other draft legislation before the house, will pass through all the legislative processes, and Nigerians would have ample opportunity to make their inputs, which will constitute the final consideration (or otherwise) of the bill.”