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!