I only made abortion available to those who need it – Okorocha

by ‘Jola Sotubo

Okorocha_815189532

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo has clarified  that the bill currently before the state House of Assembly is not for the legalization of abortion. He was reacting to reports that his administration has legalized abortion.

He said that the bill is instead meant to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence, including sexual, psychological, domestic and harmful traditional practices.

According to reports, Okorocha added that the bill would equally enable every woman to enjoy reproductive rights as well as the right to medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest. He said the bill would also provide the right for medical abortion where the pregnancy endangers the life of or the physical, mental, psychological or emotional health of the mother.

The Speaker of the state assembly, Mr Benjamin Uwajumogu, has also denied passing any law legalizing abortion in the state.

Uwajumogu decried the misunderstanding of the bill, explaining that it was for prevention of  violence and protection of women’s rights.

He said the bill, which made provision for the termination of a foetus in cases of incest or rape, did not legalize abortion.

The speaker said the house was set to make amendments to the bill to avoid further misunderstanding.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail