Renowned social critic, A’isha Yesufu, says she will choose to spend 20 years in prison than sing the new National Anthem, which she described as ‘President Bola Tinubus anthem’.
Her statement comes after a report emerged that a Bill, sponsored by the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and now awaiting the second reading, proposed a 25-year imprisonment or N10 million fine, or both, for any person convicted for making a statement or taking an action that leads to separatist agitation, or inter-group or sectional conflict in the country.
According to reports, the Bill states 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 and subvert the Federal Government shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N5 million or 10 years imprisonment or both, amongst others.
However, in reaction, Yesufu said she would rather serve a prison term than recite the anthem. She posted on X: Will choose 20 years in prison rather than sing Tinubus anthem passed by slaves masquerading as lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Recall that the Nigerian activist and politician had publicly rejected the recently adopted national anthem, Nigeria We Hail Thee.
In a video posted on social media, the activist, who was in an event, chose to sit while others stood during the recitation of the new anthem.
Yesufu, who shared the video clip that captured the moment on her official X handle, wrote: Not my anthem.
