It’s been all over the web, yes, same-sex marriage, homosexuality is now criminalised in Nigeria! Rueben Abati, spokesperson for the president confirms:
“I can confirm that the president has signed the bill into law,” Abati said, without specifying a date but adding that it happened earlier this month.
“More than 90 percent of Nigerians are opposed to same-sex marriage. So, the law is in line with our cultural and religious beliefs as a people,”
“And I think that this law is made for a people and what [the] government has done is consistent with the preference of its environment.”
According to the study of 39 nations by the US Pew Research Center, Nigerians are the least tolerant nation when it comes to gays, with 98 percent surveyed saying society should not accept homosexuality. Nigeria is also a highly religious society, with its 70 million people roughly divided in half between Christians and Muslims and a minority practicing other religions.
The law says anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union can be sentenced to 14 years in prison while any such partnerships entered into abroad are deemed “void”. Also anyone who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or who directly or indirectly makes a public show of a same-sex relationship will break the law and the punishment for this is up to 10 years in prison. “Only a marriage contract between a man and a woman shall be recognised as valid in Nigeria,”
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry elaborates that “Beyond even prohibiting same-sex marriage, this law dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association and expression for all Nigerians,”… he further adds that “People everywhere deserve to live in freedom and equality. No one should face violence or discrimination for who they are or who they love.” Also, Samantha Power, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says the law is a “big setback for human rights for all Nigerians.”
With the backlash the presidency is receiving especially from other nations…what I ask is this… (you can comment anonymously)…do you approve of this law or you think it should be abolished? Same sex (gay) marriage ban is in line with our cultural and religious beliefs as a people as Nigerians… YES/NO?
