Senate votes against same sex marriage

By Onyedi Ojiabor 29/11/2011

  

Senate President Mark

The Senate yesterday voted to outlaw same sex marriage in the country. 

It passed “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, 2011.” 

Senate President David Mark warned Britain and other Western countries to stay away from Nigeria in their promotion of same sex marriage. 

If the House of Representatives concurs with the Bill and it is assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan, persons who enter into  same sex marriage contract or civil union would commit an offence liable on conviction to 14 years imprisonment. 

The Bill also states that any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations, or directly or indirectly make public show of same sex amorous relationship in Nigeria, commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment. 

It said that any person or group of persons that witness, abet and aids the solemnisation of a same sex marriage or civil union, or supports the registration, operation and sustenance of gay clubs, societies, organisations, processions or meetings in Nigeria commit an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment. 

It said that marriage or civil union entered into between persons of same sex shall not be solemnised in any place of worship either church of mosque in Nigeria. 

“No certificate issued to persons of same sex in a marriage or civil union shall be valid in Nigeria,” it added. 

According to the Bill, “only marriage contracted between a man and a woman either under Islamic Law, Customary Law or the marriage Act is recognised as valid in Nigeria”. 

It said that the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, their sustenance and meetings are prohibited just as the public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly is also prohibited in Nigeria. 

Senator Mark said “no country has the right to interfere with the way and manner we make our laws.” 

He tacitly told British Prime Minister, David Cameron, reportedly said Britain will tie aid to African countries to the acceptance of gay marriage.

Mark said yesterday “If there is any country that does not want to give us aid on account of this, it should keep its aid. We hold our values, customs and tradition dearly. No country has the right to interfere with the way we make our laws. If it is on the basis of embracing same sex marriage that they want to give us aid they should keep their aid.” 

The suggestion that those involved in same sex marriage should face death penalty made by Senator Ehigie Uzamare, was rejected. 

The Bill was jointly sponsored by Senators Domingo Obende, Oluremi Tinubu, Ehigie Uzamare, Adegbenga Kaka, Helen Esuene and Mohammed Magoro. 

SOURCE: The Nation Newspaper, 29 November 2011. http://www.thenationonlineng.net