No thank you, Mrs. May
British Prime Minister Theresa May caused shock and consternation at the just concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting [CHOGM] in London when she called on Nigeria and other Commonwealth member nations who have yet to legalise same-sex marriage to do so. Mrs. May said no one should enact any law persecuting or discriminating against another […]
British Prime Minister Theresa May caused shock and consternation at the just concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting [CHOGM] in London when she called on Nigeria and other Commonwealth member nations who have yet to legalise same-sex marriage to do so. Mrs. May said no one should enact any law persecuting or discriminating against another person on account of who the person chooses to love.
According to her, the United Kingdom would support any nation ready to revoke its anti-same sex law. She said the world had moved from 50 years ago when people were dictated to, saying young persons today design their lifestyles as they like.
She recalled that the last CHOGM resolved to establish an organisation that would promote the interests of gays, lesbians, and transgenders. “Yet there remains much to do. Nobody should face persecution or discrimination because of who they are or who they love. And the UK stands ready to support any Commonwealth member wanting to reform outdated legislation that makes such discrimination possible.”
Even though the British Empire vanished decades ago, feelings of imperial grandeur apparently still exist, together with claims of alleged cultural superiority. A few years ago, some Western countries demanded that Nigeria and other countries must legalise homosexuality and allow same sex marriages. The calls were accompanied by threats to cut aid to nations that did not conform. Nigeria stood firm in this matter and said sexual relationship should be between people of the opposite sex. Our National Assembly passed a bill in 2013 prohibiting same sex sexual relationships.
Despite hues and cries from Western countries, former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill into law in 2014. It stipulates that anyone convicted of getting involved in gay relationship or entering into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union faces up to 14 years in jail. It adds that “Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years in prison.”
Shortly after the law was passed, then US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington was deeply concerned by the new measures. He said, “Beyond even prohibiting same sex marriage, this law dangerously restricts freedom of assembly … and expression for all Nigerians.” This country rejected Kerry’s baseless assertion and ordered immediate implementation of the law. Every country makes laws to conform with its cultural norms and to meet the expectation of its citizens, which this law clearly does. For Mrs. May to tell us to change it in order to meet the expectations of Brits, is very offensive to say the least.
We condemn her call in its entirety as it is an indication that Ms. Theresa May has no regard for our nation’s laws and norms.
It is important for world leaders to respect the sovereignty of other nations even when they belong to a common organisation. Every country is peculiar in its cultural norms. Homosexuality and lesbianism have been illegal in Nigeria since time immemorial and the situation is not about to change anytime soon. It is true that we inherited some of these codified laws from the British colonial regime, but we have continued to work with those that are in tandem with our beliefs and those we were not comfortable with, we either modified to suit us or we discarded them. If the British Prime Minister has found such laws to be outdated, well, the writ of the House of Commons ends at the English Channel.
It will do well for leaders and members of the Commonwealth to focus on issues that will be of mutual benefit rather than waste time on matters that are totally out of their control and have already been dealt with as each nation deemed fit.