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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen. has withdrawn the controversial Counter Subversion Bill which stipulates that any Nigerian who refuses to recite the national anthem shall be fined N5 million, face a 10-year prison sentence, or both.

The withdrawal followed the outrage and opposition that trailed the provisions of the planned legislation which many have described as draconian and anti-democratic.

The Bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is set for its second reading, where its general principles will be debated.

According to the proposed legislation, anyone who destroys a national symbol or a place of worship shall be liable to the same punishment.

The Bill “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”.

The Bill also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction”.

Also, any person who “forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school premises, public or private place, arena, or a similar place through duress, undue influence, subterfuge or other similar activities, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both”.

“A person who professes loyalty, pledges or agrees to belong to an organisation that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for a term of four years or both,” it also added among others.

But following the outrage and opposition that trailed the planned legislation, the Speaker announced the withdrawal of the bill, on Wednesday.

The withdrawal was announced in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi on Wednesday

“In response to the voices and concerns of the people, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has decided to withdraw the Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation.

“This decision follows his extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders and a careful consideration of the nation’s current circumstances.

“Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, a champion of the people’s interests, has always prioritized listening to the citizens and fostering unity. His decision reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the People’s House.

“He acknowledges the significance of the concerns raised and the attention the Bill has garnered, reaffirming that he will never support any action that might disrupt the peace and unity of our nation.

The Kano State government has said those who invaded the State High Court during the nationwide protest carted away some of the documents used in the corruption trial of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Daily Trust reports that Kano government had dragged Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat, Umar, his Son, Umar Abdullahi, and five others to the court over 8 charges bothering on misappropriation, and diversion of funds during his eight-year tenure as governor.

The court is among the properties vandalised and looted by hoodlums during the #EndBadGovernance protest.

On Wednesday, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf visited the court to assess the damages.

The governor was conducted round the court premises by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, Chief Registrar of the High Court, Alhaji Abdullahi Ado Bayero, and some judges.

According to the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Yusuf described the vandalization as a staged-managed mission in which hired miscreants carted away corruption charges documents of Ganduje who is facing multiple charges before the court.

“It is very unfortunate that enemies of Kano State hired undesirable elements to vandalized one of the historic public buildings with a mission of averting corruption charges against the Ag. National Chairman of APC and former governor of the state Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his family and aides,” Tofa said in a statement.

The statement added that the miscreants destroyed virtually all units of the High Court including the office of the state Chief Judge with loss accruing to more than N1 billion through stealing of office equipment, destroying offices, burning cars and other relevant materials crucial to the dispensation of justice.

Yusuf called on youth in the state to desist from being used by detractors to engage in violence.

He advised them to rather concentrate on skill acquisitions for better future, emphasizing that government would not relent in securing the lives and property of people of Kano.

He commiserated with the Chief Judge, Dije Abdu Aboki and the entire Judiciary family for the ugly incident, urging them to brace up to cover what was lost in the courts proceedings for the benefit of the common man.

He also commended people of the state for their support and cooperation to present administration, and prayed for sustenance of the tempo for peace, stability, and prosperity, and economic development.

The United States government has given $27 million in humanitarian funding specifically allocated to support Nigeria as part of its Sub-Saharan African aid efforts.

This information was shared in a statement by the U.S. Mission Nigeria on Wednesday through its official X handle.

The international agency said the $27 million was part of the $536 million announced by the U.S. under Secretary of the State Department, Uzra Zeya, few days ago.

“This week @UnderSecStateJ announced nearly $536 million in additional humanitarian funding across Africa, including $27 million in Nigeria. The US is committed to continued partnership providing lifesaving assistance & protection to vulnerable people & generous host communities throughout the continent,” the statement read.

The U.S. Under Secretary, Uzra Zeya, had earlier announced last week announced a total sum $536 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance from the United States to Sub-Saharan Africa.

The announcement was made by Zeya following her visit to Ethiopia for humanitarian mission in the region.

According to the U.S. Under Secretary, the funds are designed to ameliorate the sufferings of the most vulnerable and resolve the challenges of those who are displaced across host communities.

“Today, I’m proud to announced nearly $536 million in new humanitarian assistance from the United State. Through coordination with host countries governments and international partners, this assistance aimed to create durable solutions to ease the suffering, build resilience and resolve the plight of displaced and other vulnerable persons.

“To the generous host communities and our vital partners across the continent and around the world, thank you for protecting the most vulnerable so that all can live in dignity,” Zeya said in a statement.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the implementation of zero percent import duty and exemption of value-added tax (VAT) on basic food items.

According to a letter from the Ministry of Finance to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the approval is with immediate effect.

More to follow…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released N50 billion to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) from recovered assets to support the student loan scheme.

The Managing Director and CEO of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, led his management team on a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he acknowledged the Fund’s introduction by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to support underprivileged students’ education.

Sawyerr expressed concern over the inadequate progress in developing youths within the nation’s education sector, despite the Fund’s efforts.

The EFCC’s website stated that Sawyerr appreciated the commission’s N50 billion injection into NELFUND from proceeds of crime recovered by the EFCC.

Sawyerr requested EFCC oversight on NELFUND’s activities, emphasizing the importance of transparency.

He highlighted the significance of NELFUND in providing funding for indigent students’ education and commended EFCC for the N50 billion injection.

Sawyerr identified lack of parental educational support as a contributing factor to children’s involvement in financial crimes.

He praised President Tinubu for initiating NELFUND, a policy aimed at addressing crime through education.

The EFCC boss advised NELFUND’s management to ensure transparency in their dealings, emphasizing the importance of clean hands in fighting corruption.

He tasked NELFUND’s management to report disbursements to EFCC and committed to preventing the N50 billion donation from being “re-looted.”

Olukoyede urged Nigerians to ensure the success of NELFUND and the Tinubu-led administration’s initiatives.

The Minister of State for Environment Dr. Iziak Salako, has said he now has an elephant as a member of his family as part of his efforts to protect the remaining 300-400 elephants in Nigeria.

Salako who spoke during the launch of the Nigeria Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) in Abuja on Tuesday, said he took the decision to adopt an orphaned elephant as his contribution to the conservation of the critically endangered species.

He said NEAP will bolster efforts to protect the country’s dwindling elephant population and preserve biodiversity.

He added, “Elephants are integral to our community and heritage,” he noted. “They support flora and fauna growth and are vital for biodiversity.”

Nigeria’s elephant population has faced severe challenges with the country losing 99 percent of its elephants to habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflicts.

The minister stressed that working in partnership with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation and Wildlife Conservation Society, the Nigerian government intends to use the newly launched NEAP to provide a strategic framework for elephant conservation.

Andrew Dunn, WCS Nigeria Country Director, who coordinated the writing of the comprehensive plan, said, “Saving Nigeria’s last elephants will require more than just funds; it will require a significant change in attitude at all levels and a paradigm shift by federal and state governments towards a realisation that human wellbeing and global health are inextricably linked to biodiversity loss and climate change.”

John Scanlon AO, the CEO of EPIF, which supported the process, said: “The situation of Nigeria’s elephants is desperate but not hopeless. This plan offers us a last chance to conserve these magnificent animals.”

The House of Representatives tribunal has sacked the member representing Igboeze North/Udenu federal constituency, Simon Atigwe.

The tribunal also declared Dennis Nnamdi Agbo of the Labour Party, LP, the actual winner of the Igbo Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency rerun election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Atigwe of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the winner of the re-run election held on February 3rd, 2024.

INEC announced that the PDP’s candidate polled 23863 votes to defeat Agbo who secured 23226 votes.

Agbo who had earlier won the February 25th, 2023 election but was sacked by the appellate court proceeded to the tribunal to challenge Atigwe’s declaration.

His lawyers argued that the rerun election was marred by wrong computation of results and substantial non-compliance to the electoral act among others.

In their ruling on Wednesday, 14th August, the Tribunal headed by Justice H N Kunaza said that the petition had merit and declared Dennis Nnamdi Agbo the actual winner of Igbo Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency.

Justice Kunaza’s panel declared invalid, null and void the 2000 votes added to the PDP candidate and restored the votes of 25th February 2023 of 14229 for the PDP and 28870 for the LP candidate Rt. Hon Dennis Agbo.

It also held that Atigwe was not duly elected by the valid votes cast as the petitioner won with 23,221 and PDP 21,863 votes and as such, the certificate of return issued to Atigwe should be withdrawn and issued to Agbo.

A fresh wave of protests looms over a controversial bill that seeks to fine citizens N5 million for refusing to recite the national anthem.

The bill, which is currently before the House of Representatives, has sparked reactions among Nigerians who see it as an attempt to stifle their rights.

Meanwhile, in a fresh development, the Take It Back Movement, a rights advocacy organization, has threatened to lead a nationwide demonstration if the bill is passed into law.

The organization has described the bill as “draconian” and “repressive,” and has vowed to protect the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

The statement by the organization was signed by the National Coordinator of the organization, Juwon Sanyaolu.

It reads in part, “As a pro-people’s movement dedicated to justice and progress, we have observed significant public backlash against the bill, as citizens express their discontent.

“We perceive this legislation as an effort to stifle the rights of Nigerians, and we proudly stand with the people in raising our voices to condemn this unfair proposal.

“In solidarity with the people of Nigeria, we unequivocally denounce this proposed repressive legislation and vow to protect the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

“We will stop at nothing to protect whatever is left of our democratic rights as Nigerians, including mobilizing Nigerians to the streets if this draconian bill is not withdrawn immediately.”

According to the bill, anyone who refuses to recite the national anthem or pledge, or destroys national symbols, will be liable to a fine of N5 million or 10 years imprisonment, or both.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has withheld the results of students in public secondary schools in Ondo due to debts owed to the examination body by the state government.

On Tuesday, students from the state waiting to apply to tertiary institutions could not access their academic results on the WAEC website.

A student in the state, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Gazette that she was shocked to discover her results were being withheld by WAEC due to the state’s indebtedness.

She recounted how she repeatedly logged into the website only to receive the same ‘indebted’ message from the examination body.

“I am one of the candidates who sat for the WASSCE in the state. Some of my mates started noticing this yesterday (Monday), but when I logged in today, I was surprised to see that my result was also withheld due to indebtedness. It’s just annoying, but the school told us they will address it,” she said.

A teacher in one of the affected accredited schools explained that the state government had been notified of the situation and assured that it would be addressed soon.

“It is normal practice in the state for the government to pay the fees, but we don’t know why the current administration has not fulfilled this obligation. We have notified the authorities, and we will take it up from there,” he stated.

Responding to inquiries about the issue, the commissioner for education, science, and technology, Olaolu Akindolire, attributed the situation to logistical challenges.

In a statement issued through the ministry’s spokesperson, Olaoluwa Meshack, Akindolire said that the issues with accessing the results would soon be resolved.

He noted that the state government had already addressed the issue with WAEC, adding that five hundred and fifty million Naira had been paid for 26,088 students who sat for the 2024 WASSCE in the state’s public schools.

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to wait until the 2027 election to exercise their right to vote.

This message was conveyed by Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals after the inaugural Council of State meeting chaired by President Tinubu on Tuesday.

He made the remark while addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting.

Alake said the government is committed to democracy and stressed that any change of government must come through the ballot box, not through violence or insurrection.

He commended Nigerians for resisting the recent unconstitutional move to change the government and assured citizens of the security agencies’ readiness to protect the country’s territorial integrity and democracy.

His words: “Matters of State were discussed in a robust manner and the National Security Adviser was on hand to present the security situation of the country and he did inform the Council of State about the Pre, during and post events of the last protest which I do not call a protest.

“I call it a movement to effect a change of regime by force which was also resisted. The council thanked Nigerians at large for resisting an unconstitutional move to change government. If anybody is not satisfied with the government, the current administration, there is always an election coming, so you wait for election and cast your vote.

“The NSA brief the council on the security situation and laid bare… So after the NSA briefing, he allayed everybody’s fears and spoke on the tightness of the security around the country and also re assured all that nobody will be allowed to truncate our hard earned democracy.

“Any change of government has to be through the ballot and not through the barrel of the gun, or through insurrection or through any other unconstitutional means, only through the ballot box can any government be changed and re assured on the security readiness of all security agencies in the country to secure our territorial integrity and to protect Nigerians democracy.”