lashed out at the United Kingdom for
daring to ask Nigeria to review its
same- sex law by allowing men to
marry men and women to marry
women.
British Prime Minister , Theresa May ,
had made the call at the
Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting in London .
Two principal officers of the House
and the Chairman , House Committee
on Media and Public Affairs , dismissed
the UK’ s request .
Those found guilty of same- sex
marriage in Nigeria are liable to 14
years’ jail term .
The Majority Leader , Mr. Femi
Gbajabiamila, told SUNDAY PUNCH
that Nigeria would not reverse its law
on same- sex marriage .
“ I doubt it very seriously , ” he wrote in
an electronic mail to wapsim247.
The same position was expressed by
the Chief Whip of the House , Mr.
Alhassan Ado- Doguwa .
He said Nigeria would rather face
sanctions imposed by the West than
revisit the same- sex law .
Ado- Doguwa stated , “ Not at all! As far
as we are concerned in the National
Assembly , this matter was conclusive
and we will never revisit it.
“ Nigeria is not the UK or the USA and
we cannot operate under their
dictates, especially in the areas of
social morality. We are not a secular
country like the US . And we should not
be mistaken by any country or
organisation anywhere in the world.
“ A country like Nigeria that is strictly
guided by Islamic and Christian codes
respectively will not contemplate this
act of immorality no matter what
global consequences we may have to
face .”
Namdas also said the National
Assembly would not revisit the law . “ I
don ’t think so , ” he added.
‘Buhari can write N ’ Assembly’
But the Senate says President
Muhammadu Buhari can write the
National Assembly to consider May ’s
call on countries that had made laws
banning same- sex marriage to change
their position .
The Senate, through the Vice- Chairman
of the Committee on Media and Public
Affairs, Senator Ben Murray- Bruce ,
however, said the President could seek
the National Assembly ’s position on
the matter .
Murray- Bruce noted that Buhari could
seek a review of the law banning
same- sex marriage if the President had
been convinced of May ’s arguments.
He said , “ We will wait for the position
of the President. If he wants to review
it, he should transmit a letter to us,
telling us that he is convinced about
same- sex marriage . He should tell us
his views, whether he is for it or
against it.”
… .Gay marriage, not a priority for Africa
— Ex - diplomats
Also, some ex - diplomats told May that
gay marriage was not a priority issue
in Africa, stressing that homosexuality
should not be brought to the public
domain.
The retired diplomats, in separate
interviews with one of our
correspondents on Saturday , stated
that Africans were more concerned
with developmental issues than the
sexual preferences of a minority .
A former Permanent Secretary ,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,
Ambassador Bulus Lolo , stated that
every society had its norms and value,
noting that Africans would continue to
uphold theirs .
He said , “ If someday, Africa evolves to
the level of endorsing gay marriage ,
fine, but now , our population
evidently does not want to make this a
priority issue and it is not a priority
for us. Sexual orientation is a private
thing for individuals ; you don ’t have
to flaunt it in the public . ”
Also, a former ambassador to Angola ,
expressed surprise that May could use
the CHOGM platform to ask African
leaders to reconsider their opposition
to gay marriage .
The retired envoy , who did not want
his name in print, said unknown to
the prime minister , the African
leaders ’ opposition to gay union had
little to do with politics .
“ Contrary to her pleading , Africans
see relationship with the opposite sex
as not only legitimate but the ultimate
in human pleasure . It is a process that
is freely given and mutually desired .
“ Asking an African man to negotiate
his preference for what has been
passed down over generations and
supported by the Holy Books is
tantamount to suicide or loss of faith ,”
he said .
Comments
Post a Comment