The Federal Government, yesterday, declared before the United Nations Human Rights Council, that it will not bow to international pressure to allow same sex marriage in the country. The government argued that it is not only against the cultural and traditional values of Nigerians but that 92 percent of Nigerians support the Anti Same-Sex Marriage Bill passed by the Senate.
Nigeria also accused foreign countries of sponsoring the Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the country even as it justified the execution of death row inmates in the country, contending that it was in accordance with Nigerian laws.
Defending Nigeria’s human rights record at the on-going 17th session of the Universal Peer Review, UPR, mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, SAN, said “Nigeria does not accept recommendation of some countries on same sex marriage, because it is against its national values. Recent polling data suggests that 92 percent of Nigerians support the Anti Same-Sex Marriage Bill passed by the Senate.”
“The Marriage Act defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. Christianity and Islam, which are the major religions in Nigeria, also recognize marriage as a relationship between a man and woman. Same-sex marriage is not in the culture of Nigerians. Sexual and gender minorities are not visible in Nigeria and there is no officially registered association of gays and lesbians. In writing this report, a consultation and validation process was held with various stakeholders where the issue of same-sex marriage was brought up, and the general view of the participants was that same-sex marriage was not a human rights issue in Nigeria.”
On the security challenges in the country, Mr Adoke said, “Nigeria is experiencing the impact of externally-induced internal security challenges, manifesting in activities of militant insurgents and organised crime groups which has led to the violation of the human rights of many Nigerians. To address the problem, the government has adopted constitutional measures which include the declaration of a state of emergency in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe of the North-East Nigeria, where the insurgents have their base. As a result, a Joint Task Force and a Special Task Force have been deployed with the required legislative authorization to utilize rights-based “Rules of Engagement” and “Operational Plans” in combating the insurgency.”
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