A new weekly poll has revealed that 92 per cent of Nigerians are in
support of the proposed Anti Same-Sex Bill. The weekly poll conducted by
NOI Polls Limited from June 4 - 6 in Nigeria also revealed that the
reason behind their support revolve around morality and religion.
According to results of the poll, most Nigerians are of the opinion
that the proposed bill is not an infringement on the human rights of the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) community because
homosexuality is not in their culture as Nigerians. These are two of the
key findings from the recent Fundamental Human Rights Poll.
The House of Representatives had on May 30th 2013, passed the Anti
Same Sex Marriage Bill that makes same-sex unions in Nigeria a criminal
offence punishable by a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. The bill
also criminalises public displays of affection by same-gender partners.
The bill also states that "any person who registers, operates or
participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations directly or
indirectly, makes a public show of a same-sex amorous relationship
commits an offence and shall be liable to a term of 10 years
imprisonment."
Under the existing Nigerian Federal Law, sodomy is punishable by
jail, but this bill legislates for a much broader crackdown on
homosexuals and lesbians, who already live largely in an underground
existence.
But according to Rashidi Williams, the Director of Nigeria's Queer
Alliance Rights Group, "The Bill takes away the fundamental rights
accorded Nigerians under the constitution. This is really, not a
pressing national issue."
However, to explore the views of Nigerians regarding homosexuality
and level of ratification, NOI Polls conducted its latest poll on
Fundamental Human Rights with the expectation that the results from the
poll will contribute to the on-going discussion, and particularly
highlight the perceptions of Nigerians regarding rights of the LGBT
community in Nigeria.
Respondents to the poll were asked five specific questions. First, in
order to ascertain the level of awareness of the new proposed law to
make same-sex marriage punishable by imprisonment, respondents were
asked: "Are you aware of the recent legislative vote by the House of
Representative banning same sex marriages in Nigeria? Why do you think
it is an infringement/not an infringement on the human rights of LGBT
community?
To what extent do you support or oppose the bill recently passed by
the House of Representatives? To what extent do you support or oppose
the bill recently passed by the House of Representatives?" To what
extent do you agree or disagree with the claim that homosexuality is not
part of the culture of Nigerians? Overall, 69 percent of the
respondents were aware of the legislative vote banning same sex
marriage.
The results showed that the North-central, North East and South-South
have the highest level of awareness with 75 percent. Ninety- two
percent (92%) of the respondents supported the Bill, 5 percent oppose
the bill and 3 percent were neutral. Also, 85 percent of the respondents
strongly agree that homosexuality was not part of the Nigerian culture.
On if the proposed law was an infringement on the human rights of
LGBT community, majority of respondents were of the opinion that the
proposed law is not an infringement on their rights. The poll in
conclusion, revealed that Nigerians generally support the proposed bill
and mostly agree that homosexuality is not a part of the Nigerian
culture and majority do not think that the proposed bill is an
infringement on the human rights of the people in the LGBT community
Justice Vincent Zehurikize of the High Court
in Kampala is today expected to hear a petition filed by Kampala Lord
Mayor Erias Lukwago seeking to block the tribunal instituted to review a
petition by city councillors calling for his sacking.
Lukwago filed the petition on Monday through his law firm.
The tribunal is scheduled to start seating tomorrow at Metropole
Hotel in the upscale city suburb of Kololo.
Government chief legal
adviser, the Attorney General (AG) and the Tribunal are listed as
respondents.
The tribunal chairperson is Anti-Corruption Court judge Catherine
Bamugemereire. It includes Alfred Okello-Oryem, an expert in public
service and civil litigation, and Ocaya Lakidi, a former secretary to
the Judiciary.
On May 17, a group of 17 KCCA councillors petitioned Tumwebaze
demanding the removal of Lukwago from office. They accuse him of
misconduct, abuse of office and incompetence. Lukwago is also faulted
for intentionally and willfully engaging in acts of public incitement
against payment of city dues, and impeding KCCA revenue collection
efforts.
The tribunal was instituted by Kampala Capital City Authority affairs minister Frank Tumwebaze on June 5.
It is expected to determine whether the contents of the petition hold
sufficient grounds for the removal of the Lord Mayor from office.
On June 14 during the pre-hearing meeting at Metropole, three more
members Robert Kirunda (legal secretary), Daniel Rutiba (lead counsel),
and Titus Kamya (deputy lead counsel), were added to the tribunal.
But Lukwago is questioning the tribunal's guidelines and composition,
saying the additional members were irregularly put on board, and that
it acted in excess of its powers to appoint the trio.
"The tribunal went ahead to make and issue rules without mandate to
do so, yet the said rules deny the applicant (Lukwago) the right to
effective legal representation. The rules issued by the tribunal are not
only unfair, unreasonable, and illegal but were neither signed, dated
nor gazetted," Lukwago contends.
Lukwago laments that if the tribunal is not restrained, he is likely to suffer irreparable damage.
There is also a similar pending Constitutional petition at the
Constitutional Court filed recently by Lukwago, challenging Tumwebaze's
move to institute the tribunal. Hearing is fixed for June 25.