"Nigeria reserves the right to live under its own laws" - Maku

"Democracy will be guided by Ngeria's interests and values."

Nigeria Reserves The Right To Live Under Its Laws: Maku
Lawan Hamidu – Abuja.

The Nigerian Minister of Information Mr. Labaran Maku says Nigeria reserves the right as an independent nation to live under laws that are democratically passed by the National Assembly.

He was reacting to the U.S. President Barak Obama’s comment on the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill, passed last week by the Nigerian Senate.

Mr. Maku said, though at the initial stage, even if the bill became law, Nigeria reserved the right to make laws that would govern the country.

Maku reiterated that “Our Country is an independent country; we reserve the right to make our laws without apologies to other countries. But at any rate, between Europe, America and Africa there is a huge culture gap. Some of the things that are considered Fundamental Rights abroad also can be very, very offensive to African Culture, Tradition and to the way we live our life here. The truth of the matter is our democracy would be guided by Nigeria’s interest and values."

He continued, "And if eventually the bill becomes law we will live with it. It’s not yet law. We’ll take the comment of our foreign partners and friends as legitimate but they should also know that it is within the legitimate right of Nigeria as an independent nation.”

The Minister also said, though those countries have the right to comment, the bill is still far from becoming law.

The bill was introduced into Nigeria's House of Representatives after the Senate approval, in a measure that would outlaw gay marriage and ban public displays of affection between homosexual couples.

Homosexuality Laws

Based on the Bill ,same sex marriage or civil union for same sex couples can attract up to 14 years in prison.
On January 18, 2007 the Federal Executive Council approved a law, Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2006, prohibiting same sex marriages and sent it to the National assembly for urgent action.

The law was pushed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo following demonstrations for same sex marriage during the international conference on HIV/AIDS (ICASA) in 2005.

The proposed bill calls for five years imprisonment for anyone who undergoes, "performs, witnesses, aids, or abets" a same-sex marriage. It would also prohibit any display of a "same-sex amorous relationship" and adoption of children by gays or lesbians.

The same bill would also call for five years imprisonment for involvement in public advocacy or associations supporting the rights of lesbian and gay people. Included in the bill is a proposal to ban any form of relationship with a gay person or lesbian.

If the current bill, expected to receive little or no opposition in lower house, becomes law, Nigeria would be second country in Africa to criminalize such unions.

In 2005, the Ugandan constitution was amended to ban same-sex marriage.

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