Gabriela Ezin, Calabar
The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit same-sex marriages and civil unions in the state.
Sponsored by the Chief Whip of the House and member representing Boki II State Constituency, Hilary Bisong, the proposed legislation seeks to bar the recognition and solemnisation of same-sex marriages or civil unions in Cross River, regardless of whether they are contracted within or outside the state.
Opening debate on the bill, Bisong argued that marriage should remain a union between a man and a woman, citing biblical passages, including Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24, to support his position. He also referenced the constitutional powers of state
legislatures under Section 4(7) of the 1999 Constitution to enact laws for the peace, order and good governance of their states.
According to the bill, same-sex marriages or civil unions will not be recognised in Cross River State, while certificates issued for such unions outside the state will have no legal effect within its jurisdiction. It also provides that no church, mosque, court, traditional shrine or other place of worship should solemnise such unions.
Lawmakers who contributed to the debate threw their weight behind the bill, describing same-sex unions as inconsistent with the state’s cultural and moral values.
Some members also expressed concern over what they viewed as the increasing acceptance of homosexuality in society.
Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, commended the sponsor and members for their contributions, saying the Assembly remained committed to preserving the state’s values through legislation.
Ayambem said the proposed law would prescribe stiff sanctions for anyone found to have violated its provisions once enacted.
The bill has now passed second reading and has been referred for further legislative consideration before a final vote.
