A bill proposing that Nigeria revert to its former national anthem has passed its second reading in the Senate.
According to Channels TV, it has now been assigned to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, which is expected to report back within two weeks.
Lawmakers, who seemed united in their support, argued that the old anthem would be a more potent symbol of unity, peace, and prosperity than the current one.
Following an indoor meeting to discuss the bill, lawmakers argued that the existing national anthem, which a military government imposed, should be replaced to reflect better the nation’s democratic values, integrity, and dedication to nationhood.
The previous anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was substituted with the current “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also passed the bill to revert to the old national anthem.
The bill was quickly passed through the first, second and third readings at the lower chamber within minutes.
The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, opposed the bill, arguing that the old anthem carried colonial connotations, which led to the creation of the new anthem.
He pointed out that the old anthem was written and composed by Britons and questioned the necessity of changing the anthem amidst more pressing issues facing the country.
Despite his objections, the lawmakers quickly advanced and approved the bill.
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“The Senate President just ruled that we should go back to the plenary to pass the bill – 1st and 2nd reading today, thereafter, any Nigerian who is interested can come to the Senate building for a public hearing,” the source said.
The source privy to the discussions in the executive session told SaharaReporters that the Senate leadership “wants the bill to bring the old anthem back and wants the bill to pass first reading and second reading today”.
SaharaReporters learnt that Senators Danjuma Goje and Adams Oshiomhole canvassed for a public hearing before the amendment but the Senate leadership pushed for the new anthem to be dropped for the former one hence the reason why it wanted the bill to pass 1st and 2nd reading today.
The matter was listed in the Senate Order paper on Thursday and it generated arguments and counter-arguments in the executive session.
Senator Yahaya Abubakar from Kebbi (a former Senate Majority Leader) advised that there should be consultations across the country because Nigerians because of the hardship in the country as amending or changing the national anthem via a bill would seem like a move to divert their attention away from the economic crisis.
However, SaharaReporters learnt that Senator Victor Umeh of the Labour Party supported the senate leadership to change the anthem by amending the bill, saying Senator Oshiomhole’s position was wrong.
Senator Umeh used Rwanda as an example and hailed the former anthem as a good draft, SaharaReporters was told. Hence, he fully supported the leadership to change the anthem by amending the law and bringing back the former anthem.
“He is against any public hearing and stated that a public hearing will open Pandora’s box.
“Senator Umeh is an ‘eye service’ (sycophant) man; he wants to please the Senate President. Senator Umeh doesn’t want Nigerians to be part of the decision on whether to drop the present national anthem or not, and replace it with the former anthem.
“He said that allowing Nigerians to ventilate their opinions will cause anarchy. He has been doing ‘eye service’ for Senator Akpabio, supporting everything he says.
“Two weeks ago during our closed-door/executive session, Senator Umeh even kicked against lifting the suspension of Senator Ningi Abdul despite the fact that the leader of his Labour Party, Peter Obi had supported Senator Ningi.
“This is a clear departure from what his party stands for. Senator Umeh needs to be exposed for Nigerians to know his true colour and character
