Reintroduction of old National Anthem unconstitutional — ALDRAP

Reintroduction of the old national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee…’ has continued to generate reactions among Nigerians, as stakeholders insisted that the hurried process with which the National Assembly prosecuted the Bill called for serious concerns as it did not follow proper and laid down process of law making.

The Civil Society Organisation (CSO) under the aegis of Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), a civil society organisation (CSO), vowed to sue President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assenting to the National Anthem Bill 2024 thereby becoming an Act.

ALDRAP said that aside from the President, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives would be joined as respondents in the case that would be filed before a Federal High Court of justice.

President Tinubu on May 29, signed the passed legislation that returned the old national anthem themed ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ into force.

In a statement issued on Friday, ALDRAP specifically said that the enactment of the National Anthem Act failed to comply with the necessary constitutional provisions and requirements for law making.

The statement signed by Tonye Jaja, Secretary of ALDRAP noted that there was no public hearing before the said legislation was enacted as required under Section 60 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

ALDRAP further said; “There was no letter of transmission of the said Bill from the President to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The expenditures associated with the National Anthem Act, 2024 (which was done on May 29, 2024, and on other dates) are not captured in the Budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Act, 2024 (as can be attested to by the accountant-general of the federation).

“Members of the public were not invited to make their contributions, as was done when the other national anthem was enacted in the year 1978,” it said.

ALDRAP therefore said from the foregoing, the National Anthem Act, 2024, should be declared illegal, adding that the financial burden of implementing the new national anthem would include costs such as man-hours, updating official documents, and other related expenses.

It also said that the such costs would be too high for ordinary citizens to bear, especially without a corresponding increase in income.