Discard Repressive Counter Subversion Bill Sponsored By House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas; Amnesty International Urges Nigeria
Global human rights body, the Amnesty International Nigeria, has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, recently introduced in the House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has sparked widespread criticism for its potential to violate international human rights standards and stifle dissent in Africa’s most populous nation.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, condemned the bill as “misplaced and ill-timed,” warning that its vague and broad language could lead to harsh punishments for individuals merely criticising the government.
“The bill violates international human rights standards because it will be open to vague and broad interpretations and can be used to impose incredibly harsh punishments simply for criticising the Nigerian authorities,” Sanusi said.
He further explained the dangers of such legislation, drawing parallels with other countries where similar laws have been weaponized to target political opponents and suppress peaceful dissent.
“In countries where such legislation is implemented, the law is being used to target political opponents and punish those who peacefully express views which differ from those of the government.
“The law has always — and everywhere — turned out to be a tool of repression,” Sanusi added.
The bill’s unclear wording and lack of explicit human rights safeguards have raised alarms among activists and civil society groups.
He argued that the legislation, if passed, could be easily abused by officials to silence opposition and undermine freedom of expression.
“The content of the bill promoted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is at odds with the prevailing norms of a free society,” Sanusi said.
Amnesty International also criticised the Nigerian government for prioritising such a bill amid pressing national crises, including rampant corruption, widespread insecurity, and deepening poverty.
“Corruption — which is increasingly rampant and keeps Nigerians poorer — is the ‘subversion’ that the House of Reps. should worry about and pay closer and more concrete attention to,” Sanusi stated.
The organisation pointed to the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country, where gunmen frequently attack communities, abduct civilians for ransom, and impose levies on farmers.
In states like Benue, Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto, armed groups have prevented farming activities, punishing those unable to pay levies with amputation or death.
“Nigerian authorities are failing to protect the people,” Sanusi noted, urging lawmakers to focus on addressing these urgent issues instead of pushing repressive legislation.
Amnesty International also explained the economic hardships facing millions of Nigerians, with unprecedented inflation pushing many to the brink of starvation.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians live at the mercy of unprecedented inflation and are struggling to feed themselves — and cannot afford the cost of education and healthcare — such legislation relegates the well-being of the people,” Sanusi said.
The organisation called on the House of Representatives to focus on enacting laws that address poverty, insecurity, and corruption while ensuring compliance with domestic and international human rights standards.
“Legislations must be compliant with domestic and international human rights standards,” Sanusi added.
