No going back on same-sex law, Reps vow

The House of Representatives has 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 our reporter
that Nigeria would not reverse its law on same-sex marriage.

“I doubt it very seriously,” he wrote in an electronic mail to
SUNDAY PUNCH.

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.

The House of Representatives has 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 our reporter
that Nigeria would not reverse its law on same-sex marriage.

“I doubt it very seriously,” he wrote in an electronic mail to
SUNDAY PUNCH.

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.