Counter Subversion Bill Was Intended To Protect Everyone – Reps Spokesman

The Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said the withdrawn Counter Subversion Bill was drafted to protect every Nigerian.

Phili Agbese said the withdrawal from the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas was in line with his nature as a pro-people and pro-masses leader.

Agbases explained that the bill was not intended to suppress the freedom of citizens or to muzzle the freedom of speech. He added that though the bill was sponsored by the Speaker, it was not to cage the ordinary citizens.

Reps spokesman said this on Thursday while responding to Sam Amadi, during AIT Kakaki programmes. He further denied the accusation from Amadi that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has turned authoritarian since it took power in 2015.

“The Right Honourable Speaker who sponsored the bill which has now been withdrawn, of course, if we look at his character as a person and his leadership qualities, you know that he’s not a man that can be described in the kind of hard language that my brother and friend Sam Amadi has used or the connotation he has tried to give to the APC.

“Yes, Nigeria is a democratic, we’re in a democratic process, and his excellency, the Right Honourable Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, believes in the rights of the people; and the bill, simply because it is coming from the speaker or coming from the parliament, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is something that is out, you know, to cage the ordinary citizen.

“In the last one year, as speaker of the parliament, Tajudeen has been able to impress it, you know, on a lot of people, a larger percentage of our citizens that yes you know I’m in business and I want to see how to impact positively.

“So that bill, even though it has been withdrawn, I think the original intention you know of the wedding of that document is to protect each and everyone of us, not just people in high places.

“If you see the full contents there’s even a part of the bill that talks about the issue of patriotism and the need for all to respect our national symbols. You know some of these laws also exist in other parts.”

Honourable Agbese said the Speaker ordered the withdrawal of the bill after consultation with stakeholders and his mentors. He added that the withdrawal confirmed that the  10th House of Reps listens to the citizens.

He argued that previous administrations would have proceeded with the bill to the second reading, but the Speaker put a stop because he was satisfied with the criticism of the citizens.

Agbese continued, “Nevertheless, His Excellency, Mr. Speaker, as a people, one who is listening to the yearnings and aspirations of the common people, one who has given the Parliament you know back to the masses; in his wisdom, after due consultation with colleagues in the Parliament, stakeholders and his own mentors outside the Parliament has done the needful by withdrawing that piece of legislation.

“So I think we should look more, you know, on the things that the Parliament is doing and we should also commend him because in time past we’ve had this kind of legislative instruments, you know, even not sponsored by any member of the leadership of the Parliament or members and even despite public outcry, you know, they will push on.

“This bill just came for the first reading. It’s yet to go for the second reading. Mr Speaker said no, at this point, we do not need to push on to second reading or to public debate where Nigerians will have to comment. I’m satisfied with the input I have received so far, and it’s obvious that the people we are here to serve are not at home with it at the moment.“