Aisha Yesufu, rights activist and social critic has said she would rather go to jail for 20 years than sing the new national anthem, imposed on Nigeria.
Describing the anthem as ‘President Bola Tinubu’s anthem,’ Yesufu said the law on the anthem was passed by slaves masquerading as lawmakers.
Yesufu was reacting to a bill, sponsored by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, proposing 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.
The bill currently awaiting a second reading, indicates 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 subverts the Federal Government shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N5 million or 10 years imprisonment or both, amongst others.
But in defiance, Aisha Yesufu posted on her X handle; “Will choose 20 years in prison rather than sing Tinubu’s anthem passed by slaves masquerading as lawmakers in the National Assembly.”