The Federal Government has been advised not to yield to pressure from the Western nations to legalise same-sex marriage in Nigeria.The Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. James Foloranmi; his Committee of Muslim Organisations counrterpart, Prof. Shehu Jimoh; and the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, Mr. Rafiu Balogun, in a separate telephone interviews with our correspondent in Ilorin on Sunday, insisted that Nigeria should not allow the western world to decide how to govern its citizens.They commended the Senate for passing the bill banning same-sex marriage and prescribing jail terms for its offenders.The Senate on Tuesday passed an Act prohibiting same sex marriage and approved 14 years jail term for gays and lesbians.It also approved 10 years imprisonment for anybody who directly or indirectly involves in show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria or any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations.Senate President, David Mark, said same-sex marriage was against Nigerian culture and traditions.But United Kingdom, United States and Canada however urged Nigeria to reconsider its position.Foloranmi said the bill was a reflection of the overwhelming views of Nigerians, adding that same-sex marriage was morally wrong and against the morals and cultural norms of Africans.Foloranmi said, The bill should be signed into law. We are no longer under Britain. We are not under US or Canada. Nigeria is a sovereign state. The Federal Government should maintain its stand with boldness. Same-sex marriage is morally wrong, ungodly and against our culture. We should tell the world that Nigeria is a sovereign state. Nigerian should ignore them.Same-sex marriage is not in our character and it is not our culture. We thank the Senate for that law and for even going further to ensure that anybody that supports same-sex marriage is punished. God on our side things will work well for Nigeria.Balogun said other countries should not interfere with domestic matters and governance of Nigeria. He added that he supported the Senate because it is empowered by the constitution to legislate for peace and good governance in Nigeria. He stated that African norms and values are against same-sex marriage.Jimoh advised the Federal Government to insist on its stand, noting that no country should dictate to Nigeria.Nigerian is a sovereign county and we have the right to enact whatever bills we like, therefore, no country should dictate to any other country what bills to can enact or what bill to reject. We are free as a sovereign nation to enact whatever bill we want. Nigeria should be resolute with its position, he said.Meanwhile, the Delta State Government on Saturday aligned with the Federal Government on the ban of same-sex marriage and removal of fuel subidy.Delta State Deputy Governor, Amos Utuama, who lauded Nigerians for supporting the prohibition of same-sex marriage, noted that the practice should have no place in a morally conscious society like Nigeria.Utuama, a professor of Law, who spoke while receiving the members of the Catholic Knights of Saint Lumuba in a courtesy call at the Government House Annex, Warri, argued that the move was in the best interest of the country and society as a whole.He commended the Senate for boldly enacting a law outlawing same-sex marriage, which he described as an unholy alliance that should not be condoned in the country.He argued that marriages could only take place between opposite sex, but that an unholy alliance between persons of same-sex could not be consummated.
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