Reps support senate to outlaw same-sex marriage

THE House of Representatives, on Tuesday, supported the Senate to outlaw same-sex marriage as the Bill scaled through second reading.
The Nigerian Tribune recalled that the Senate, had passed the Bill last November, stipulating among other things, 14 years imprisonment for same-sex marriage, as well as 10-year imprisonment for any person, who helps in any way to ensure such marriages take place.
In line with legislative practice, the House had in its bid to concur with the bill passed by the senate on Tuesday, unanimously adopted the bill for second reading and subsequently committed it to the Committee of whole, preparatory to its consideration and third reading.
The Leader of the House, Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola who led debate on the general principles of the Bill entitled “a bill for an Act to prohibit marriage or civil union entered into between persons of same sex, solemnisation of same and for other matters related therewith (HB.197)”, described the practice as alien to Nigeria’s society and must not be allowed.
She said,”It is alien to our society and culture and it must not be imported. Religion abhors it and our culture has no place for it.”
Contributing to the debate, Honourable Bimbo Daramola said Nigeria must be defiant against threats from western nations to freeze foreign aid to Nigeria over the touchy legislation.
On her part, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, however, called for caution, in view of the touchy human rights implications on persons likely to be affected by the legislation.
But House Minority Leader Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila said, “the Bill represents a convergence of both law and morality. This issue is both illegal and immoral”, stressing that same-sex marriage was in clear breach of Nigeria’s Marriage Act.
However, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Honourable Albert Sam-Tsokwa, while relying on Order 12 Rule 83 of the Standing Orders of the House, moved that the Bill be referred to the Committee of Whole, a motion which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

Tribune