The Federal Government has said it is
under pressure from the international community to sign the Gay Rights
Bill into law in Nigeria.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, stated this in Abuja on Friday at an
interactive session with the diplomatic corps, even as he accused the
international community of hypocrisy.
He insisted that Nigeria would not sign the Gay Rights bill or abolish the death penalty without reviewing the constitution.
The minister said that Nigeria does not
impose its culture on other countries and as such it was wrong for
anyone to attempt to impose a foreign culture on the nation. He said,
“This thing must be understood because we have been under pressure about
this issue of Gay Rights. It is not part of our own culture, you need
to understand that. It needs to evolve. Let us get to that stage of
understanding that two men can marry, then we will get to the bridge and
cross it. But please let foreign diplomats educate their various
governments that you cannot come overnight and impose values that are
not part of our tradition on us. Don’t impose it on us that we must
allow it in our constitution. If we are talking about democracy,
democracy is about free choice, free association you don’t force values
on others.
“For those who have Gay Rights, even
when I look at the population of those countries, those opposing are
high in number. In some countries, the churches are against it, why put
pressure on Nigeria and other African countries that we must put it (in
our laws). Respect for human rights of a minute minority cannot be at
the expense of the larger societal values, well-being and orientation of
the people. Even laws are rooted in culture which must be upheld for
the good of the society. I therefore appeal to the international
community to show a greater understanding of the culture and traditions
of our people.
“We don’t tell other countries how to
live their lives. We don’t impose values on any country. Other countries
too should not come and impose their own values on us. We don’t oppose
any country that has put in its constitution the Gay Rights to allow two
men or two women to marry themselves. But for Nigeria and a number of
other African countries; it is not part of our culture yet.’’
He said it was hypocrisy for the United
States to be championing Gay Rights and while criminalising polygamy
which is part of Africa’s culture and tradition.
“At times you see hypocrisy in some of
these things. I must be frank. If we talk about human rights, how do we
apply them? It seems they are being applied to favour some certain
groups and not of wider application. There is hypocrisy in this issue of
Gay Rights and polygamy,” he added.
Also at the meeting, the minister said
the Federal Government had barred foreign ambassadors and diplomats
representing their countries in Nigeria from commenting on political
issues in the country.
The minister said the action constituted an undue interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
He explained that the meeting was
necessary to maintain the excellent relationship between Nigeria and the
international community, and to remove any potential irritant or
misunderstanding in their interactions.
He said the government was aware of the
activities of some embassies that had been funding human rights groups’
activities in the country.
He said, “We know in Nigeria we have
some of the strongest human rights groups. We also know that foreign
missions have been freely supporting them with funding. It is okay. We
have no objection.
“But we object when ambassadors conduct
activities that are incompatible with their status as diplomats. If
ambassadors want to join the human rights groups, they may as well
resign to join them, but they cannot use the platform of being a
diplomatic agent to interfere in our domestic activities. The Vienna
convention states clearly the activities that are incompatible with your
functions as an envoy.
“I will want ambassadors to please
confine themselves to their traditional duties. If you feel strongly
about any issue, come to the foreign ministry, I will receive you. When
there are things you want to take up with the government, come to the
ministry. Even if you come as a regional body, I will receive you. But
for you to go to the media and start talking is incompatible with the
status of your office.”
Ashiru lamented that oil theft in the Gulf of Guinea had remained a major challenge facing the country.
He warned that government would not
release any foreign ship or crew member caught with stolen oil in the
Gulf of Guinea because huge revenues had been lost to the activities of
the criminals.
He said the Federal Government had
raised a high-level committee headed by the Attorney-General of the
Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), to tackle the
challenge.
“The Nigerian Navy and the NIMASA have
been directed to take firm measures against any ship caught engaging in
unwholesome activities, including oil theft, in Nigeria’s territorial
waters.
“This is serving as a warning that
henceforth, I will not be willing to grant audience to people coming to
plead for the release of their ships or crew members caught in illegal
activities,” he said.
On the efforts to
dislodge terrorists in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states, Ashiru said the
security forces had continued to operate under the rules of engagement,
with full respect for the human rights of the people.
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Underpressure bcoz of gay marriage?..what non-sense!..naija aint US Or France!...we are not dat morally bankrupt to stoop so low for dat devil and dirt!...the internanational community shud park-well joor. Mtcheew!.
ReplyDeleteWhat nonsense act is dat man sleep with man,woman sleep with woman God forbid...Jona dont u ever tink of it talkless of to try in nigeria oooooo
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, what will we not see? Anyway, I hope our people will maintain their stand and nt bow to pressure.
ReplyDeleteAfter all said and done, our government should not make an about turn because of so-called pressure, especially when they threaten to withdraw aid, as I believe they will try to do in the future over this matter. We do not need their aid. Our leaders should wake up to their responsibilities and move our dear nation forward.
ReplyDeleteunder pressure mumu u can no go n face d problem in d country as par BH, pipl r diein evry day but u r busy about d guy marrige, let den go an do it cos all d pipl we have in d house r de son of wicked, God dy
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to explain any thing to those moral bankrupt nations. This is one issue that Muslem, Christians, even trado religion are united against in this country. So, Oyibo should go to HELL!
ReplyDeleteDon't ever allow the international community pressurise you into accepting that which is demonic(gay marriage).Guess you are hearing me GJ
ReplyDeleteLet US and others keep their so called AId;we can not betray our birth right for AID. They are hypocrites and agents of darkness. We don't need them at all. If am the president of this country, I will chase all their citicins away from hear, they are filthy and hell bound
ReplyDeleteI don't know why this issue has to come up in the first palce...and if I may correct Mr Ashiru no true African will ever understand that two men or women can marry. This is simple the end times and the devil is fast gaining hold of the world. We must be steadfast in our beliefs and in our religions.
ReplyDeleteNo way for same sex marriage
ReplyDeleteGAY WHAT?GOD FORBID ! NOT IN NIGERIA IT CAN NEVER HAPPEN.
ReplyDeleteThank you so Mr. Minister,you have spoken as a man,we'll solidly stand behind you. Stand your ground & God will continue to bless you. Continue to tell them that we have never interfered in the internal affairs of their country,therefore they should leave us alone. When they came here to take us away as slaves,the idea of acquiring VISA for foreigners did not occur to them. Now they've used us to to build their Nations enough,they manufactured enough difficulties to prevent us from benefiting from the labour of our heroes past(Our Ancestors they took away as slaves). As if that's not enough,they now now want to tell us how to live in our own country. They're crazy!They taught us words like sovereignty,democracy,human rights,yet they don't what these terms mean. FELA Anikulapo KUTI has said it all in his various songs. AFRICANS SHOULD PLEASE EMANCIPATE THEMSELVES FROM THESE MODERN TREND IN SLAVERY.(MENTAL SLAVERY). Tributes to BOB MARLEY.
ReplyDeleteLet Ashiru tell President Jonathan to sign the anti-homosexual marriage quickly and the pressure will weaken. His dithering on signing it is making those degenerate nations feel something is still possible. You don't need to preach to anyone about African values, act it and they will understand.
ReplyDeleteGood talk!
DeleteAm proud of this my minister and his stand on this Gay marriage issue.The white people should leave Africa alone.After all some of their so called rights given to their so called woman and children is already given them a lot of concern .They shouldn't impose their stupid culture on us.Thank you sir,My Hon.Minister.Nigeria and other African countries of value should remain unmoved.Chucks
ReplyDeletenigeria as a nation is a soveriegn state, so we are capable of making our own decisions without any interferance from external bodies. sir we need leaders like u who will stand and fight for the truth God bless u.
ReplyDeleteIt should be death sentence for culprits because they have started using charms to win unsuspecting citizens. US and BRITAIN can go with their AID or AIDS.
ReplyDeleteThat is why u see flood, tonadoo, earth quake, fire and so on desaster in their land cos of their terible sin.
ReplyDeletelive and Let's live.
ReplyDeletemake bros Jona nor even tink em oh na non-sense be dat
ReplyDeleteD us president is spear heading the gay right policy, why did he reject the proposal of Zibamwe president to become its gay partner.Those talking abt gay policy shld be ashamed of them selves.
ReplyDelete