Group, Yakasai, others hail Jonathan for signing anti-gay bill into law

The Ndi-Igbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN) on Tuesday hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for taking a strong moral stand by signing the anti-gay bill into law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jonathan on Monday signed the bill prohibiting gay marriage or same sex partnership in Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos by the society’s President, Mr Udo Udeogaranya, the group said that the act showed that Jonathan was committed to promoting and sustaining African culture, heritage and values.

“We believe in the doctrine that every sovereign nation must rise to determine its destiny, and it is its choice, not chance, that determines its destiny.

“In the issue of marriage, relationship and social behaviour, our country, members of National Assembly and President Goodluck Jonathan made the best choice,” the group stated.

It, however, urged the National Assembly and Jonathan to consider censoring foreign programmes being disseminated into Nigeria to protect young Nigerians against negative western influence.

Elder statesman and veteran politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, also commended Jonathan for signing the bill into law.

Yakasai made the commendation in an interview with the NAN in Kano.

“President Jonathan should be commended for taking a bold step to sign the bill into law.

“Same-sex marriage is not only alien to Nigeria but to the entire African continent,’’ he said.

According to him, the signing of the anti-gay bill into law is timely and in the best interest of the major religions in the country.

“None of the three religions; Islam, Christianity and traditional religion allows same-sex marriage. It is not even practised among animals.’’

Yakasai, the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters to former President Shehu Shagari, urged the Federal Government to disregard comments from the international community on the law.

He said that the law was meant for Nigerians, who had expressed their support for it.

“The Federal Government should ignore whatever other countries will say on the law because it is meant for Nigerians only,’’ he said.

Some other Nigerians, who reacted, commended the National Assembly and Jonathan for enacting the law.

A businessman, Mr Ted Ododogwu said: “It is a plus for President Jonathan to have signed the bill into law because gay marriage is against our religions and culture.’’

Malam Bello Wakili, also a businessman, expressed happiness that the bill was signed into law.

He hailed the National Assembly and Jonathan for outlawing such a marriage.(NAN).