The second episode of Untold Facts aired yesterday, Thursday 28 July with host, Moses Omoghena, engaging guests in a discussion focused on the damaging effects of the anti-gay law and other forms of discriminating laws in Nigeria.
Guests on this episode were Ijeoma Akwiwu, a legal practitioner, and Ayo Sogunro, a legal practitioner and human rights activists.
Together, the trio discussed how the same sex marriage prohibition law (SSMP), an eight section law which is not part of the Nigerian Constitution, got accelerated hearing and was passed into law without following due process.
When asked about her perception of the SSMP law, Ijeoma said, “I think it was just a bunch of mischievous individuals who sat down to put together the law.”
While citing her displeasure on how lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender are being treated, she said that “one act can change a lot of things”. “As Nigerians, we shouldn’t just wait till the cases are many before we do something about it, it starts from the everyday act,” she added.
In his words Ayo said, “For me, any form of social injustice is just wrong, the society should be a place where everyone is equal before the law irrespective of your positioning, your status, your family or your background.”
He urged every Nigerian to understand that their rights as citizens and how important it is to pay more attention to this.
He further added, “Democracy should be balanced by rights, it shouldn’t be a tyranny of reality, the majority and minority should have their say, there should be a balance.”
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