Stop the prevarication on same-sex marriage law
The bill has since then been awaiting the assent of President Goodluck Jonathan for it to become law. It is the overwhelming revulsion of Nigerians to any attempt at legalizing such perversity that prompted the National Assembly to quickly pass the legislation criminalizing it. Senate President David Mark had been particularly outspoken in his comments […]
The bill has since then been awaiting the assent of President Goodluck Jonathan for it to become law. It is the overwhelming revulsion of Nigerians to any attempt at legalizing such perversity that prompted the National Assembly to quickly pass the legislation criminalizing it.
Senate President David Mark had been particularly outspoken in his comments on the day the bill was passed, condemning the practice as alien to the norms and cultural and spiritual values of Nigerians. Despite these very pointed remarks on the issue, which seemed to resonate well with most Nigerians, President Jonathan seems to be foot-dragging over signing the bill. This apparent reluctance by Mr President is already fuelling unhealthy speculation of attempts at modifying its provisions, or may even withhold assent.
The reason for this may not be hard to locate. Many Western countries, particularly Britain and the United States have expressed outraged over the prescient decision to ban same-sex marriages in Nigeria, describing the move as an attempt to trample on the rights of minorities, ignoring the fact that most Nigerians do not agree with such values. There were suggestions that the U.S. and Britain were in fact planning punitive measure against Nigeria, in some instances they may seek to tie any further aid to Nigeria to the fate of the bill. If the bill becomes law, the aid will be stopped. On his part, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has announced his intention to ‘engage Nigeria’ in a bid to stop the bill from becoming law.
Speaking on a BBC programme, Mr Cameron said he would raise the issue with Nigerian leaders. ‘With Nigeria, where we have very good relationship, a very strong relationship, nothing should be off the table.’ He declared. Boasting about the UK’s record of equal rights for gays and lesbians, Cameron had added ‘We believe that’s right for every country in the world…. The matter of your sexuality is something that shouldn’t be a disadvantage to you, just as your religion or your race, or the way you choose your life.’
Earlier on, during a Commonwealth summit, David Cameron had issued his own threat that the issue of gay rights could affect British aid to Nigeria. The American and British stand on Nigeria’s anti-same-sex law suggests a determined campaign to blackmail the country into a change of position. What they forget is that homosexuality is already a criminal offence punishable by seven years imprisonment under extant laws. The new legislation reinforces that law and extends the provisions to prevent creeping Western trends from giving it an unwelcome facelift.
Besides, by seeking to bent legislation in Nigeria, both countries are effectively interferring in the internal matters of Nigeria, a brazen and unacceptable behaviour that stands condemned. These measures taken by the National Assembly are consistent with Nigeria’s national interests that are informed by the wishes and aspirations of Nigerian citizens. Since Nigerians overwhelmingly support this legislation, a fitting rebuttal to the interfering remarks of the US and UK would be for President Jonathan to quickly append his signature to the bill.
The president should call the bluff of those countries that threaten that threaten Nigeria and its citizens for taking decisions that are in Nigeria’s best national interests. He should do this by signing the bill to law without further ado.