Aisha Yesufu Declares She’d Rather Spend 20 Years in Prison Than Sing “Tinubu’s Anthem” in Response to Proposed Bill

Prominent social critic and activist Aisha Yesufu has made a bold declaration, stating that she would rather spend 20 years in prison than sing the newly adopted national anthem, which she refers to as “Tinubu’s anthem.” Her remarks come in response to reports of a proposed Bill “Counter Subversion Bill 2024” in the National Assembly that aims to impose harsh penalties, including a 10-year prison sentence or a fine of N10 million, for actions deemed to promote separatist agitations or disrespect national symbols.

The Bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, proposes “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”.

If passed into law, those convicted could face fines of up to N5 million, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. The bill specifically targets individuals who refuse to sing the new and controversial anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” and those who destroy national symbols, including the flag, as a means to undermine the government.

The Bill also stated that “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.

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In a defiant response to the bill that proposed a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both, Yesufu took to her X account, stating, “Will choose 20 years in prison rather than sing Tinubu’s anthem passed by slaves masquerading as lawmakers in the National Assembly.” Yesufu has been outspoken in her rejection of the newly adopted national anthem, “Nigeria We Hail Thee.” In a video shared on social media, she was seen sitting during the recitation of the anthem at a public event, contrasting with others who stood. She later posted the clip with the caption, “Not my anthem,” further solidifying her stance against the new national symbol.

Yesufu’s opposition has sparked a broader conversation about the limits of free expression and the role of national symbols in either uniting or dividing the populace. As the Bill moves toward further deliberation, her position reflects the growing tensions surrounding the new administration and its policies.

Since President Bola Tinubu reinstated the previous anthem in May, several citizens, including Yesufu and former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, have declared their preference for the “Arise O Compatriots” anthem, vowing to sing it or nothing at all.

In other videos, Yesufu argued that, given the country’s severe economic and security crises, the government should prioritize addressing more urgent issues rather than focusing on reverting to the previous anthem.

Ezekwesili echoed these sentiments, tweeting, “Whenever and wherever the national anthem is called for, I shall continue to sing #AriseOCompatriots as #MyNationalAnthem. Definitely #NotMyNationalAnthem as I already publicly conveyed.” She further criticized the government, stating, “The lawmakers @nassnigeria and the @NGRPresident grievously breached the constitutional provisions and process for amendment of legislation and therefore cannot foist another national anthem on us. I refuse to join them in the Kangaroo Act of violating the Constitution.”