Recent news has been marked by an important event in the country, the promulgation of a law aimed at reinstating the old national anthem of Nigeria, entitled “Nigeria we hail thee”. This decision was signed last Tuesday, sparking reactions and controversies among the population.
The Association for the Defense of African Peoples’ Rights (ALDRAP) said in a press release published this Friday that this law, known as the National Anthem Act 2024, was subject to challenge. Indeed, according to ALDRAP Secretary Tonye Jaja, the process of developing this law did not respect constitutional provisions, thus making it unconstitutional.
In its press release relayed by the Punch newspaper, ALDRAP highlights several points of dispute. Firstly, the lack of public consultation prior to the adoption of this legislation, as required by Section 60 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999. Furthermore, members of the public were not given the opportunity to contribute to the development of this law, contrary to what was done during the adoption of the national anthem in 1978.
Furthermore, the organization contests the fact that there was no official transmission of the presidential bill to the Senate and the House of Representatives, which goes against the constitutional procedures in force. Finally, ALDRAP points out the absence of a budget forecast for expenses linked to the implementation of this new national anthem, highlighting the potential significant financial costs that this could generate for citizens.
Faced with these findings, ALDRAP calls for the cancellation of the National Anthem Act 2024, highlighting the impracticality and the financial burden that this law could represent for the population. The costs associated with the implementation of this new anthem, such as updating official documents, costs in terms of working time, and other related expenses, could indeed weigh heavily on citizens.
This debate around the promulgation of this new national anthem highlights the issues surrounding the legislative processes and the practical implications for society. It also raises critical questions about transparency, citizen participation and democratic governance in the country. It remains to be seen how this controversy will evolve and what decisions will be made to address the concerns raised by ALDRAP.