FG faults U.S., others' comments on Nigeria's anti-gay marriage stand

THE Federal Government has said it is the legitimate right of Nigeria to make laws governing its activities without apologies to other countries.Reacting to the misgivings of some Western countries led by United Kingdom and United States condemning the passing into law the bill against same-sex marriage by the Senate, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku said that the nation's Democracy will be guarded by Nigeria's interest and values and not by the comments of others.Maku told journalists at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that what everyone must note is that '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 offensive to African culture, tradition and to the way we live our lives here.'He added that Nigeria would 'take comments by our foreign partners and friends as legitimate', it is also clear that 'it is the legitimate rights of Nigeria as an independent nation and our legislature to legislate and discuss any matter.'The minister said: 'The reported comments by the U.S. Government about the proposed law by the Senate about same sex marriage in Nigeria have not fully come to government for a position. But let me say we live in a democracy, we live in a free country, we live in an independent country. And in every democracy as you know, there are institutions, there are laws and also there are cultures, there are beliefs and values in every nation.'Relating to the law that is being proposed by the Senate, as you know, Senate has passed a version of a law relating to same sex marriages. That law has not yet gone through House of Representatives, not to talk of becoming a law that will be forwarded to the president for assent.'It is a process that is going on normally through the Nigerian legislature, the same way every law is passed in every democracy. We have not reached that point where it has become law. But even if it dares become law, as you do know, Nigeria reserves the right as an independent nation to live under laws that are democratically passed by the National Assembly. If in the end it becomes law, it will become the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If the President assents to it, it will become law. If it doesn't, then if the National Assembly is able to muster two-thirds majority to pass it into law, it becomes law. But we are still far from what the Senate has done, becoming law.'Having said this, I believe our institutions are clear, we live in a democracy. Foreign countries that may not be happy with certain aspects of laws passed in Nigeria are free to express their views concerning whatever law that is passed through the Nigerian legislature, but at the same time all those countries know how democracies work.
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