In Support Of The Senate

The Senate yesterday passed the bill prohibiting same-sex marriage in the country to the excitement of Nigerians. At least this action has shown that as a country, we do not always have to rely on the west for decisions on how to move the country forward.

While the debate on the bill which was tagged Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act raged on and Nigerians prodded the upper legislative House to ensure that the bill was passed into law to stop the country from further sliding, British Prime Minister was reported to have threatened that the west may have to suspend aids to the country if the rights of the gays in the country were not protected.

To him, Nigeria must follow whatever is being done even if it is, as Senate President David Mark described it, repugnant.

The law now prescribes 14 years imprisonment for any Nigerian who goes ahead with marriage as a gay or lesbian and further prescribed 10 years imprisonment for anybody who supports or assists such set of people to get married.

According to the law, anyone, including a priest or cleric, who performs, witnesses, aids or abets the ceremony of same sex marriage, would face the same sentence. The law explains that anyone involved in the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, sustenance, procession or meetings, publicity and public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly in public and in private would be subject to the same sentence.

We appreciate the stand against gay marriage by the senators.  We urge the House of Representatives not to delay in passing it when the law is brought before them. We also urge President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure he signs it once it is made available to him.