Enugu 2015: Sullivan, Ekweremmadu and Zoninig

By Henry, Ugwu

Politics is in the air, ahead of the 2015 general elections, politicians are returning, mending up their broken fences and fixing up good structure to perfect their plans to win 2015 election. Many governors want to go to the Senate. Many Senators and House of Representatives members want to become governors. Even with the next governorship election still about nineteen months away, the picture of what to expect is getting clearer by the day. Different political gladiators are already plotting strategies on how to produce the next occupants of the various state government houses and members of the Red and Green chambers.

We are about to get into the season of endorsement of aspirants for the governorship and thes Senate. Party supporters, cronies, and loyalists are part of the game being hatched to intimidate political opponents and convey real or imagined impression of political superiority. In some cases, crowds are rented to sing praises of the contenders. Traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youth groups, and in fact clerics are also motivated to lend support. Across the six geo-political zones, the story is almost the same.

In Enugu state, geopolitical tensions are developing following a recent pronouncement by Governor Sullivan Chime that his successor would come from Nsukka Cultural zone.

With this, the Nsukka zone is beginning to revisit the question of their unfinished tenure that had been abridged by the military ambush. The people feel one of their own should be the next governor of the state for the sake of equity, justice and fair play. They hinge their demand on several grounds.

Apart from the fact that Enugu North is the only zone that is yet to hold the governorship position for at least four years, the zone also claims that it has over forty per cent of the state’s voting population, going by the last national census figures. They have equally noted that Nsukka zone is the only area among the present three zones that has remained intact since the old Anambra State. The two others (Enugu-West, Enugu-East), which used to accommodate parts of Ebonyi State, have been split into four zones, with two of the zones located in the present Enugu and Ebonyi states.

Before Enugu was created out of the old Anambra State, there was Nsukka zone, while the present-day Enugu East and West Senatorial zones were just a single zone. But today, that one zone has been split into two zones and each of them has produced a governor that stayed for eight years each. Of course, Chime would have served for eight years by 2015.

Since the creation of the state in 1991, Enugu State has had eight governors. Of this number, five, namely, Herbert Eze, Temi Ejoor, Mike Torey, Sule Ahman, and Adewunmi Agbaje, were military administrators. The remaining three – Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chimaroke Nnamani, and, currently, Sullivan Chime, were democratically elected. The questions on the lips of most political-conscious people in Enugu are: Could Sulivan’s pronouncements explain why the Senate President, David Mark, refers to Senator Ayogu Eze, who hails from Nsukka cultural zone as the ‘Enugu Government House?’ What if Senator Ayogu Eze indicates interest to run? Will he knock horns with his colleague in the chamber? Who does the zoning favour most? What is the fate of Senator Ike Ekweremadu whose ambition is close to manifest?

Besides having three senatorial zones, like all other states in the country, Enugu State has eight House of Representatives’ seats, twenty-four seats in the State House of Assembly, and 17 local government areas. Politicians from the various zones usually try to outwit one another each time there is an election. They come out prepared and like we all know, a winner from a particular zone must emerge. Enugu North Senatorial district, dominated by the people of Nsukka Cultural zone, produced the first civilian governor of the state, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, in 1992. Though, Nwodo did not serve out his four-year term following the truncation of that process in 1993, when the June 12 presidential election that the late Moshood Abiola was said to have won was annulled by then military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida. Enugu-East zone, dominated by Nkanu people, produced the second elected governor in 1999, in the person of Chimaroke Nnamani, when the country returned to civil rule. In 2007, the position moved to the third leg of the tripod, Enugu-West zone, with Chime emerging governor in what appeared like a rotational arrangement, even though, nobody has been able to produce a document wherein such arrangement was reached.

 With this one can now wonder whether the gubernatorial position is being zoned by an almighty hand. We know that periodic elections are the primary gains of democratic political stability. The exercise creates opportunities for choice and change of leadership at the federal and state levels, local governments not excluded. Usually, the electoral process is a nightmare because of the struggle for few elective positions by many aspirants. The number of aspirants is inversely proportional to the number of the vacant slots, not minding their zones. For governorship and federal parliamentary elections, the battle is fierce. Even in the United States of America (USA), which sets the pace for the practice of the presidential system, the practice is that governors and senators would want to become the President. In terms of hierarchy, the senator is on a higher pedestal than the governor. The reverse seems to be the case in Enugu state. Many factors could responsible. The now political culture of zoning, god-fatherism, disagreement between the different zones and the ‘favoured child issue.’ But in all these factors, which of them is backed by the constitution? Is it the zoning? Or the usual return of served senators to be governors and governors becoming senators? Before now and up till now governors are party leaders in their respective states, they control the party structures. In fact, they personalize power and use their enormous financial muscles to a maximum advantage by dictating who gets what, where and how during elections. Since 2003, except in few instances, no governor, federal and state parliamentarian, minister and council chairman has emerged without the input and endorsement of the governor. In 2007, the population of former governors in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly was four. They are Senator Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara State), Senator Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Senator Ken Nnamani (Enugu), and Senator Ahmed Adamu (Sasarawa) In 2011, it rose to eleven when former Governors Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Ali Modu Sherif (Bornu), George Akume (Benue), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau), were elected senators. In 2015, it may rise to twenty-five. Who knows?

In the Second Republic, two senators, Cornelius Adebayo (Kwara) and Don. Etiebet (Cross Rivers), blazed the trail, when they became governors in 1983. In 1999, Senator Bola Tinubu became Lagos State governor. In 2003, Senator Rashidi Ladoja became the governor of Oyo State. Now, Senators Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), and Liyel Imoke (Cross River) are governors.

One may be tempted to say that since the people of Nsukka zone, with their 40% population, had continued to contest for the position even during the period other zones clinched it; everybody should be allowed to join the fray and let the best candidate emerge. But when contestants are not on the platform of the ruling party, what then is their fate? Even though 2015 elections are nineteen months away, Nsukka, at the moment, has seen plenty of political gladiators nursing the ambition of succeeding Chime. They include Senator Ayogu Eze, who represents Enugu North in the Senate; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odoh; Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, representing Igboeze-North/Udenu Federal Constituency; former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi; Barrister Okey Ezea, who had contested for the position twice; a one-time contestant, Dr. Dan Shere, Mr. Emeka Mammah of the Ifesinachi dynasty; Managing Director of Peace Mass Transit, Dr. Sam Maduka Onyeishi; Mr. Ikeje Asogwa of the state Housing Corporation; the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Okey Ani; Commissioner for Information Chuks Ugwoke; and chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Vita Abba. All the named persons are said to be making frantic efforts to realise their ambitions. If all the above elephants share the votes of the zone, Will Chime’s endorsed candidate win in a free and fair election?

Even with the entire firm zoning proposal by the sitting governor and the threat posed by Nsukka cultural zone as being 40% of the population, it seems the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu is not deterred. In fact Less than one week after the governor’s open pronouncement, the deputy senate president not only dismissed the purported zoning arrangement but urged everybody interested in the governorship of the state, irrespective of their zones, to feel free to contest the election.

He was, however, quick to note that he had no governorship ambition in 2015. Ekweremadu made it clear that there had not been any zoning arrangement to produce a governor for the state. He said there had never been any restriction to whoever had the ambition to govern the state.

According to him, “There is no zoning in Enugu. I am not aware and nobody is aware. I have been in politics in Enugu since the beginning of this particular dispensation. People from every part of the state have vied but somehow somebody would win. So, I am sure that our brothers from Nsukka understand that clearly.
“I stand to be challenged; I want anybody to tell me a document or a meeting where the governorship of Enugu has been zoned since 1999.”

Ekweremadu, however, ruled himself out of the race, saying he would be glad if a candidate from the northern senatorial district in the state got the slot but not on the basis of zoning.
“Probably, they are the only zone that has not produced a governor of the state in this dispensation. But like I said, it has nothing to do with zoning. There is nothing like zoning in Enugu as at today. Until zoning is done, I don’t think anybody who wants to run from other parts of the state can be stopped. But for me, I am not running for governorship,” he said

With the latest position of the PDP caucus, there is, certainly, going to be increased activities in the political arena in the state. Tension is already building, as there are indications that some high-profiled politicians who do not seem to be comfortable with the zoning of the governorship to Nsukka are trying to unite under the emerging All Progressives Congress to try to wrestle power from the PDP. Could that be thes reason why Sam Maduka Onyishi (Peace) decamped to APC? The drama is still unfolding and only time will tell…

What Next After Confab?

By Henry, Ugwu

The amalgamation of southern and northern protectorate brought together 646 languages and over 370 tribes into the entity called Nigeria. Many are of the opinion that the amalgamation of the two protectorates with diverse socio-cultural, political and economic setting is wrong and have therefore hindered the growth and development of the country. This group believes that the process was arbitrary as the consent of the two parties was not intimated before the amalgamation and therefore cannot work in common unity as a country. Could this be the reason why there have been political, economic and social instability in Nigeria? Why would an average Igbo man advise his relations not to invest in the north? Why do people avoid inter-tribal marriage?

To some groups, the national confab is programmed by Goodluck Jonathan to project his re-election bid ambition.

Recently, the federal government released modalities for selection of the 492 delegates for the proposed national conference, with nomination from all walks of life –from the presidency to the local government councils, religious bodies to civil societies, active to inactive workforce, political parties to people with disabilities, the media to political office holders, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and even Nigerians in the diaspora are left out...the list goes on. However, issues bordering on the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria are no-go areas.

The question on the lips of many Nigerian citizens is if there are no-go areas then why Confab? If to divide is the only lasting solution after the confab, what do we do? How are we sure that all interest are adequately represented and the resolution of the will be implemented and not thrown into the shelf like others?

It is one thing to organise and discuss the problem of Nigeria and suggest ways of solving it  and  another thing to give ear to the plights of average Nigerians whose roads are in pitiable conditions, poor medical facilities, education system where teachers and lecturers embark on incessant strikes, constant harassment from law enforcement agencies, poor power supply,  pump price  of kerosene (never mind the ‘official’ price of 50 naira per litre), inadequate implementation of minimum the wage.

Special mention to the unresolved assassinations of Bola Ige,Funsho Williams,Dele Giwa, Marshall Harry and others. The recent Jungle justice carried out on Aluu 4, savage killing of Mubi 30, massarces in Borno where over 100 people died between 14th and 20th of February 2014...It is said justice might grind slowly but it grinds. In Nigeria justice is for the rich and the government of the day.

A major constraint of our development is misappropriation of public funds. The budget for this conference will either be inflated (as usual) or end up in the pockets of a few (after all we are still searching for the billions missing from NNPC). To save ourselves the psychological trauma of listening or watching the argument and counter arguments, it would be better to use the Money to clean the rivers in the Niger-delta, repair the Benin-ore road, increase the capacity of our power sector to stabilize power supply, rehabilitate Kanji dam, the list is endless.

Since the early days of democracy in Nigeria in 1960 though stalled by the subsequent military incursion and came back into lime light in 1999, issues of perceived segregation of minority has continued to wag and could be traced to the increased corruption in high places and low places and even middle places, inadequate elections and results, fight for resource control and the struggle for the political life of our nation have always been on the front burner. Let us not forget that these issues have been even before independence and therefore cannot be resolved in just 14years of democracy but giant strides should have been taken now to begin the process of rebuilding our national life through this national confab.

National Conference will seek to strategize and bring forth a detailed plan (both short and long term) on how to begin with baby steps the journey of recovering from the pitiable state we have found ourselves. The Confab should not to carry out propagandas and vendettas against regions, political parties, personalities, for past, present and probably future sins. As we prepare to dialogue, we should all put the interest of Nigeria at heart, not make noise nor throw banters against one another.

This way the National Conference would be the best thing for Nigeria and just like the United States of America, Nigeria could become the United Tribes of Nigeria (UTN) after the Confab to strengthen the unity of Nigeria and put to shame all the break up intercessors.  Can also turn out to be another jamboree, where after all said and done we go home and set up yet another committee to further discuss the findings of the conference.

 Nigeria is too late to divide; can the north do without the south? Can the west do without the east? Can the six geo-political functions independently if Nigeria divides after the confab? We should expect that the confab will ensure unity among the zones of south west, south east, south south, north-east, north-west, north-central since all the issues that proves to tear Nigeria apart is be dialogued to make Nigeria one family in a sovereign state that is strong with a lot of natural resources. We are one and we will forever remain one.

 

Gay Rights vs. Anti-Gay Law, The Giant of Africa trapped In the Middle

By Henry, Ugwu __________My voice on the hate bill

The Western world has always been an integral part of the Nigerian development no doubt. They brought the Christian and Islamic religion to our seemingly pagan society. They came to Nigeria where men were free to marry as many women as they wished, to have more children so as to have many hands working   in the farm for a higher yield. They told us it is against the institution of God. They said it should be one man to one wife, anything contrary is barbaric and unjustifiable. We accepted.  They said wearing animal skin was archaic and asked us to dress like them, we obeyed. Few years after, they said it was okay to abandon your spouse and marry someone else if you feel uncomfortable in the union. We are beginning to accept that too. Recently, they said it was cool to have amorous relationships, justifying it as our “human rights”. We said no, it is barbaric! They got angry and called us monsters.

Our lawmakers took it upon themselves to wipe out this particular western style amidst threats by world powers, the United Nations and co. As it is their duty to preserve and protect our values and culture, they quickly made a bill to prohibit same sex relationship and on 7th January, 2014 the giant of Africa was in the spotlight again. This time, not for corruption, bombing or plane crashes but for something controversial, Our president signed into law the bill that prohibits same sex marriage as a new gift to the LGBT community in Nigeria, making Nigeria the 38th nation to make illegal, same sex unions .In this law, if you are caught as a gay/lesbian then you will die by stoning under the sharia law but 14years imprisonment if you are not a Muslim. This made Nigeria a nation with a two fan base; those who applauded her bravery and those who condemned it.

Speaking on the law, the spokesman to the President, Ruben Abati said “this is a law that is in line with the people’s cultural and religious inclination. More than 90% of us oppose same sex marriage so it is a law that is a reflection of the beliefs and orientation of Nigerian people. Nigerians are pleased with it".

Also a Nigerian Reverend Father in the Diaspora who wished to remain anonymous said he is relieved that Nigeria is taking her stand on this issue although he believes that the death penalty and imprisonment is a bit extreme. He also believes that the people who claimed to have a different sexual orientation were that way either because of their environment or mindset.

 He said “out of the 100% of people that claim to be gay only 10% are truly that way. The other 90% use it as an excuse to do what they do. Perhaps, a woman suffers heartbreaks countless times not wanting to go through that again turns to her same sex for company while a man who finds it difficult to talk to a woman tilts to fellow men that are willing for sexual company". He also stressed that this anti-gay law will give rise to more promiscuity among genders of the opposite “previously when a girl brings her female friend home probably for a sleep over, nobody complains, it is assumed that they are discussing in the room. Three boys can rent an apartment and be flat mates without any eyebrows raised; nobody gave a thought as to what was happening behind closed doors. Now a group of female friends are looked upon with suspicion and parents are visibly relieved when they see their children with the opposite sex and could care less about the nature of the relationship comforting themselves with the thought that “at least my child is not gay”

Now that the law has been passed and is even being enforced, what does this spell for Nigeria? Is this going to last or is it going to make the LGBT victorious in the end?  What plans have we made incase our foreign aids like the anti-retroviral drugs, polio vaccines are withdrawn? Will we bow to the pressure? Is the prohibition of same marriage really the best solution for all concerned?

 Yes! Our President has done well, we applaud him. But are we blind to the loopholes of the law? What arrangements have we made for gay prisoners? Do we put all sentenced gays in the same prison or mix them up with straight inmates? How will the straight inmate guard herself to avoid being converted by lesbian inmates when it is obvious that they are sex starved? Do we run a prison filled with gays/lesbiens? Have we thought about sexually transmitted diseases that will sweep into the prison as a result of gay prisoners?

Now, our lawmakers must take into cognizance that some of our citizens are barbaric in nature, so the new law must be well defined, unambiguous and incontrovertible. Does banning same sex marriage translate to a ban on cohabitation? Does that also mean that two same sex adults cannot do what they do in the confines and comfort of their homes as long as they do not go into legal marriage? Can two men be amorous towards each other and luxuriate in each other's company in public without being lynched? Can a man that looks effeminate or a woman with some epicene characteristics be allowed to walk around in peace without being tagged or looked at as a monster from outer space and be discriminated against.

This law if not well defined has failed and fallen flat on arrival. We live in a nation where laws are abused and things are done arbitrarily. Has it been properly defined that this is about two women or two men of marriageable age not getting married  and showing affection in the open and not about them being extricated from our community and be lynched, neutered or butchered because they are not what the society says they should be? Some Nigerians are barbaric and the ALUU four incidents comes to mind and so many abuses of people’s liberties.

In Warri, a beggar with both female and male sexual organs sitting by the roadside was lynched and called a wizard. This man had no say how he turned out into this world and the law did not protect him. We practice jungle justice in Nigeria, some of our law enforcement agents are even the best abusers and violators of our rights. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Has the law also enshrined in its content that it is wrong to harass LGBT people when they have not been caught in the act or breached the peace of nation? Has it also been enshrined in the Constitution that a gay/lesbian person if harassed, mobbed, lynched, that the perpetrators of such heinous crimes would face the full wrath of the law?

This law is flawed ab initio if all these provisions have not been enshrined into that law. But we must not forget we are Africans, we believe in the "we existence" and like a REV.Fr. once said "the best way to stop the act of homosexuality is not by killing them or imprisoning them, it will only make them more determined, instead show them love, understand their ways but do not conform to it.

If we can send hard drug users to the medical rehabilitation center and they get better, the gays and lesbians too can be rehabilitated. All Nigerians should always tender this prayer "Dear Lord, please let my daughter find a man to love, blind the eye of any man that gets attracted to my son. I shall carry my grandchildren"

THE INTRIGUES AND DRAMA OF 2015 POLLS

Henry, Ugwu

Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the date for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, many brows have begun frowning and suspecting foul play while many more applaud the move.

The country’s political atmosphere has become tense, and is beginning to choke the very life out of our already staggering democracy.

Nigerians are becoming apprehensive especially with the threats made by the different arrowheads of the various political groups and regional affiliations. While militants sharpen their swords, the terrorists re-enforce at the other corner.  Religious and tribal groups, trade unions and even academic institutions in the country are all making conflicting moves to protect their interests.

Remarkable are the words of Alhaji Asari Dokubo of the Niger Delta, who arrogantly swore on- air that “Nigeria would cease to exist the very day President Jonathan is schemed out of power”.  Sadly this treasonable statement was ignored by all and sundry. But the question is what happens if the President, Goodluck Jonathan is legitimately removed from power through the electoral process? What is Dokubo’s understanding of the word “schemed”?  Is it buried in his words where he said “if anybody does anything against Jonathan, we will retaliate.” Will the defeat of Jonathan trigger crisis”?

While Nigerians are still bemused with their mouth agape, Dokubo continues to rant and dish out threats although not long ago, he was not on the president’s side. We recall that he had referred to the president as “weak and unassertive as a leader”. Could he have suddenly fallen in love with the president or are there behind-the scene-activities that explains this action?

Meanwhile, the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) continues to hold closed door meetings from one state to another all in a bid to secure the presidential seat for the North come 2015.

 The Ohaneze Ndigbo group are not folding their arms either as they use every occasion to tell one hundred and one reasons why it is the turn of the “Igbo man” to lead Nigeria. They never forget to mention how they were maltreated during the civil war and have been marginalized ever since of which the only way to pat them at the back is by allowing an Igbo man to be president in 2015.

According to a political analyst “the northern governors, just like their southern counterparts are in disarray.” In his analysis, “Nigerians have concluded that the crisis that trailed the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, (NGF) with the spill-over effect rearing its ugly head amidst the gathering of the Northern States Governors Forum, (NSGF) in Kaduna recently has nothing to do with the quest to better the lot of the people but a venture aimed at furthering the political interest of a few cabal”.

No wonder some factions of the Igbo people under the umbrella of the South-East Youth Movement have already started a campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan in posters pasted all around Enugu and other parts of the South- East, bearing the statement,  “I will come back - 2015”. These posters carry the bold- smiling image of the president. Whether or not he has publicly declared his intention to run is not an issue for them so far as they endorse him.

One will see more of the disarray in the manner in which party loyalists continue to defect from one political party to another. As it is, the battle line is drawn between the APC and PDP. All of a sudden the G5 governors left the PDP for APC. As Nigerians struggled to understand this act, several senators emulated the governors making PDP to be divided against itself.   Surprisingly, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo began to make moves against his own party which many interpreted as anti-party activities. While some of the defectors are not confident enough to maintain a stand on where they belong, some have made a U-turn back to the party they originally belonged to. With the same vigor which they had criticized PDP and loved APC, they have licked their own spit by pledging their allegiance once more to their party. What confusion!

What a weird country! One begins to wonder the place of the ordinary citizens in these whole episodes. The people are still wallowing in the shackles of unemployment, erratic power supply even with the privatization policy in force, yet a very strong few in power are using the same already frustrated citizens as a reason for their immoral and irrational acts

In view of all these squabbles, the ordinary Nigerians hope on Atahiru Jega to conduct a free, fair and credible election and save the country from the hands of these strong fellows who aim at nothing but bringing it to ruin.

More so, to the chagrin of Nigerian citizens, Jega in a statement made by INEC’s press secretary Mr. Kayode Idowu demonstrated a lack of will to save the Nigerian state. In his own words “Nigerians should not expect a perfect election in 2015, but I will do my best”. At a time like this Nigerians need more than the best from Jega to be able to set Nigeria’s political life aright.

The question emanating from this odd remark is,s how could Jega caution against high expectations prior to the general elections and at the same time offer to do his best? Was he not chosen to do a commendable job against all the hitches witnessed in the state governorship elections?

The stage had been set; the drama is on among the different political juggernauts and interest groups in the country. The average Nigerian citizens are the spectators watching how the drama unfolds. We just pray that while these mighty elephants fight, that the grass would not suffer!

Gay Rights vs. Anti-Gay Law, The Giant of Africa trapped In the Middle

By Henry, Ugwu __________My voice on the hate bill

The Western world has always been an integral part of the Nigerian development no doubt. They brought the Christian and Islamic religion to our seemingly pagan society. They came to Nigeria where men were free to marry as many women as they wished, to have more children so as to have many hands working   in the farm for a higher yield. They told us it is against the institution of God. They said it should be one man to one wife, anything contrary is barbaric and unjustifiable. We accepted.  They said wearing animal skin was archaic and asked us to dress like them, we obeyed. Few years after, they said it was okay to abandon your spouse and marry someone else if you feel uncomfortable in the union. We are beginning to accept that too. Recently, they said it was cool to have amorous relationships, justifying it as our “human rights”. We said no, it is barbaric! They got angry and called us monsters.

Our lawmakers took it upon themselves to wipe out this particular western style amidst threats by world powers, the United Nations and co. As it is their duty to preserve and protect our values and culture, they quickly made a bill to prohibit same sex relationship and on 7th January, 2014 the giant of Africa was in the spotlight again. This time, not for corruption, bombing or plane crashes but for something controversial, Our president signed into law the bill that prohibits same sex marriage as a new gift to the LGBT community in Nigeria, making Nigeria the 38th nation to make illegal, same sex unions .In this law, if you are caught as a gay/lesbian then you will die by stoning under the sharia law but 14years imprisonment if you are not a Muslim. This made Nigeria a nation with a two fan base; those who applauded her bravery and those who condemned it.

                

Speaking on the law, the spokesman to the President, Ruben Abati said “this is a law that is in line with the people’s cultural and religious inclination. More than 90% of us oppose same sex marriage so it is a law that is a reflection of the beliefs and orientation of Nigerian people. Nigerians are pleased with it".

Also a Nigerian Reverend Father in the Diaspora who wished to remain anonymous said he is relieved that Nigeria is taking her stand on this issue although he believes that the death penalty and imprisonment is a bit extreme. He also believes that the people who claimed to have a different sexual orientation were that way either because of their environment or mindset.

 He said “out of the 100% of people that claim to be gay only 10% are truly that way. The other 90% use it as an excuse to do what they do. Perhaps, a woman suffers heartbreaks countless times not wanting to go through that again turns to her same sex for company while a man who finds it difficult to talk to a woman tilts to fellow men that are willing for sexual company". He also stressed that this anti-gay law will give rise to more promiscuity among genders of the opposite “previously when a girl brings her female friend home probably for a sleep over, nobody complains, it is assumed that they are discussing in the room. Three boys can rent an apartment and be flat mates without any eyebrows raised; nobody gave a thought as to what was happening behind closed doors. Now a group of female friends are looked upon with suspicion and parents are visibly relieved when they see their children with the opposite sex and could care less about the nature of the relationship comforting themselves with the thought that “at least my child is not gay”

Now that the law has been passed and is even being enforced, what does this spell for Nigeria? Is this going to last or is it going to make the LGBT victorious in the end?  What plans have we made incase our foreign aids like the anti-retroviral drugs, polio vaccines are withdrawn? Will we bow to the pressure? Is the prohibition of same marriage really the best solution for all concerned?

 Yes! Our President has done well, we applaud him. But are we blind to the loopholes of the law? What arrangements have we made for gay prisoners? Do we put all sentenced gays in the same prison or mix them up with straight inmates? How will the straight inmate guard herself to avoid being converted by lesbian inmates when it is obvious that they are sex starved? Do we run a prison filled with gays/lesbiens? Have we thought about sexually transmitted diseases that will sweep into the prison as a result of gay prisoners?

Now, our lawmakers must take into cognizance that some of our citizens are barbaric in nature, so the new law must be well defined, unambiguous and incontrovertible. Does banning same sex marriage translate to a ban on cohabitation? Does that also mean that two same sex adults cannot do what they do in the confines and comfort of their homes as long as they do not go into legal marriage? Can two men be amorous towards each other and luxuriate in each other's company in public without being lynched? Can a man that looks effeminate or a woman with some epicene characteristics be allowed to walk around in peace without being tagged or looked at as a monster from outer space and be discriminated against.

This law if not well defined has failed and fallen flat on arrival. We live in a nation where laws are abused and things are done arbitrarily. Has it been properly defined that this is about two women or two men of marriageable age not getting married  and showing affection in the open and not about them being extricated from our community and be lynched, neutered or butchered because they are not what the society says they should be? Some Nigerians are barbaric and the ALUU four incidents comes to mind and so many abuses of people’s liberties.

In Warri, a beggar with both female and male sexual organs sitting by the roadside was lynched and called a wizard. This man had no say how he turned out into this world and the law did not protect him. We practice jungle justice in Nigeria, some of our law enforcement agents are even the best abusers and violators of our rights. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Has the law also enshrined in its content that it is wrong to harass LGBT people when they have not been caught in the act or breached the peace of nation? Has it also been enshrined in the Constitution that a gay/lesbian person if harassed, mobbed, lynched, that the perpetrators of such heinous crimes would face the full wrath of the law?

This law is flawed ab initio if all these provisions have not been enshrined into that law. But we must not forget we are Africans, we believe in the "we existence" and like a REV.Fr. once said "the best way to stop the act of homosexuality is not by killing them or imprisoning them, it will only make them more determined, instead show them love, understand their ways but do not conform to it.

If we can send hard drug users to the medical rehabilitation center and they get better, the gays and lesbians too can be rehabilitated. All Nigerians should always tender this prayer "Dear Lord, please let my daughter find a man to love, blind the eye of any man that gets attracted to my son. I shall carry my grandchildren"