The United States and Britain pressured me to facilitate the adoption of same-sex marriage in Nigeria - Ex-minister
Former Nigerian Foreign Minister Bolaji Akinyemi says the British and US governments “pressured” him to facilitate the adoption of same-sex marriage in Nigeria.
Mr. Akinyemi said this when he appeared as a guest on Arise TV's The Morning Show on Wednesday.
"I am not in favor of marriage between men or between women," he said during a speech on the recent reversal of the right to abortion by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Akinyemi, a professor of political science, was Nigeria's foreign minister between 1985 and 1987 under the military government of Ibrahim Babangida.
"Part of the reason I'm very attached to this man-to-man or woman-to-woman marriage is the fact that Americans are even trying to rip our throats out in Nigeria," he said. declared.
Nigeria in 2014 passed a law prohibiting same-sex marriage or sexual relations, with violators facing up to 14 years in prison.
The former minister said he was pressured by officials in both countries to convince Nigerian authorities to reverse the policy as legislation was being drafted in the National Assembly.
"I know how much I was called upon by the United States and Britain when (former President Goodluck) Jonathan was in power. The Commonwealth Secretary General came to visit us when we presented this legislation to the National Assembly.
READ ALSO: Pope Francis Supports Gay Marriage"And he also consulted me on how he should handle the situation when he met with President Jonathan and I told him this was a 'no go zone' for us.
"(That's because) we don't like to be told the definition of marriage in Nigeria. I also told him that this (embracing same-sex marriage) would only warm the system" , Mr. Akinyemi said.
Nigeria, like many other African countries, is against same-sex marriage and has laws criminalizing it. However, human rights advocates have warned that such laws violate adults' right to choose their sexual partners and could lead to discrimination.
Same-sex marriage has, however, been accepted in many Western countries.
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Former Nigerian Foreign Minister Bolaji Akinyemi says the British and US governments “pressured” him to facilitate the adoption of same-sex marriage in Nigeria.
Mr. Akinyemi said this when he appeared as a guest on Arise TV's The Morning Show on Wednesday.
"I am not in favor of marriage between men or between women," he said during a speech on the recent reversal of the right to abortion by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Akinyemi, a professor of political science, was Nigeria's foreign minister between 1985 and 1987 under the military government of Ibrahim Babangida.
"Part of the reason I'm very attached to this man-to-man or woman-to-woman marriage is the fact that Americans are even trying to rip our throats out in Nigeria," he said. declared.
Nigeria in 2014 passed a law prohibiting same-sex marriage or sexual relations, with violators facing up to 14 years in prison.
The former minister said he was pressured by officials in both countries to convince Nigerian authorities to reverse the policy as legislation was being drafted in the National Assembly.
"I know how much I was called upon by the United States and Britain when (former President Goodluck) Jonathan was in power. The Commonwealth Secretary General came to visit us when we presented this legislation to the National Assembly.
READ ALSO: Pope Francis Supports Gay Marriage"And he also consulted me on how he should handle the situation when he met with President Jonathan and I told him this was a 'no go zone' for us.
"(That's because) we don't like to be told the definition of marriage in Nigeria. I also told him that this (embracing same-sex marriage) would only warm the system" , Mr. Akinyemi said.
Nigeria, like many other African countries, is against same-sex marriage and has laws criminalizing it. However, human rights advocates have warned that such laws violate adults' right to choose their sexual partners and could lead to discrimination.
Same-sex marriage has, however, been accepted in many Western countries.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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