We haven't, but have seen excerpts of it. It is interesting to see Nigerians comment and its quite refreshing to hear the arguments from both sides. Yes, there are actually many sides to this debate in Nigeria, ranging from some seeking to enforce the law on their own to some who are outraged. For those who wonder why the President would bother (knowing the potential internatonal backlash and also considering that sodomy had been outlawed since colonial times) consider this: A reputable poll by NOI Poll held last year found that 92% of Nigerians support the law. What is perhaps more telling was a Pew Research poll that found that 98% of Nigerians didn't think that homosexuality should be accepted by society (the highest percentage of any country in the world).
Anyway, the only verbatim provision of the law I have seen, is likely to face a steep constitutional hurdle:
SSMPA
"Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years in prison,"
CONSTITUTION (s.40)
"Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests."
3 comments:
Please a country with its economic statistics should have other priorities
Pure politics. Is this country not the one with all the troubles we read about everyday?
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