The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned an alleged deal between the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and some Western countries to repeal the Same-Sex Prohibition Act and legalise same-sex marriage in Nigeria.
Briefing journalists in Abuja Wednesday in Abuja, Media Director of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, disclosed that the Western nations made the request as a condition for their support for Buhari’s presidential ambition.
President Goodluck Jonathan had in January 2014 signed a bill that criminalised same-sex relationships, defying Western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the United States (U.S.), France and other Western countries.
The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex “amorous relationships” and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the National Assembly in May 2013.
Explaining the motives for the alleged deal, Fani-Kayode stated: “The second issue we want to touch on today is the shameful proposition that was made to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari by the representatives of a number of Western governments when he was in the United Kingdom (UK) for a prolonged stay. He had appealed to them for support and to get their endorsement. He had talks with the representatives of at least four Western countries. The leaders of those countries made an offer to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and we are reliably informed that he has put the offer under consideration.
“The proposition and offer was that if he was prepared to support legislation in Nigeria to allow same-sex marriage and if he was prepared to repeal the anti-gay laws in Nigeria, they will, in return, endorse, support and fund him, initially covertly and eventually publicly, at the right time.
“Instead of outrightly rejecting these offers and spurning this proposition, to our utter shock and consternation, Gen. Buhari apparently refused to rule it out and has put the matter under consideration. Instead of him to say NO, he assured them that he would consider these two things. We believe that this is a matter that ought to be brought to the attention of the Nigerian people as a matter of urgency.
“The APC are so desperate to ensuring that Gen. Buhari becomes the President of this country that they are actually prepared to consider the scrapping of all anti-gay or anti-homosexual legislations and at the same time, endorsing and supporting fresh legislation that would allow same-sex marriage in our country. They are considering this despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the Nigerian people find same-sex marriage and, indeed, homosexuality repugnant and unacceptable.
“We are using this occasion to challenge Gen. Buhari to come clean and to tell the Nigerian people whether this is true and whether, in the unlikely event of his being elected President, he is seriously considering scrapping the anti-homosexual laws in our country and pushing through new legislation which would allow same sex marriage.” – Guardian.
FFK should be checked. One week, one baseless accusation. Pls tell us the countries o so we would check Buhari’s itinerary in UK if representatives of those countries ever met with him.
If you don’t believe him then why did Buhari travel to u.k for4 weeks appearing in publuc chats in Chattam house hut will not appear for public debate in Nigeria.
There is something sinister about recent Buhari mania.