Abayomi Ajibike, a member of the Men’s Support Organization Alliance, has criticized Nigeria’s same-sex marriage ban, describing it as extortion and leading to constant terror for LGBTQ individuals. Ajibike emphasised the inhumane treatment faced by LGBTQ Nigerians, including death penalties, physical attacks, police extortion, arbitrary detention, and harassment of human rights organisations.
Ajibike condemned the prohibition act as a “silent killer” in an open letter to the National Assembly and the President. He shared his personal experiences, highlighting the pervasive fear and limited freedom faced by LGBTQ individuals in Nigeria. The civil servant called for the repeal of the ban, urging politicians to focus on urgent issues like poverty, unemployment, and security.
He said that when President Goodluck Jonathan enacted the anti-gay Bill in January 2014, he had a large number of supporters. Most Nigerians believed it was the only way to keep their country from becoming a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah.
“Unfortunately, this has exacerbated sexual minority prejudice and created an unsafe environment for the LGBTQ+ community,” he stated in the letter made available to The Guardian.
“There has been for decades a societal discussion regarding whether people choose to be homosexual or if it is something they are born with. Some people feel that people choose to be homosexual in order to gain attention or to be a part of a current trend.
“However, being homosexual is fraught with difficulties, including self-hatred, prejudice from society, and even hostility within the LGBT community itself.
“It is critical to recognise that being homosexual is not a taught habit or a divine miscalculation. Life is perilous. On an internet news website, I saw a video of two suspected gay men being beaten to death with boards of wood, their blood splashed on the ground. I noticed a crowd watching. Children were among people watching. No one intervened to prevent their murder.
“In Nigeria, gay people were invisible, always hiding. They never enjoyed the same level of liberty as any other citizen. There are no LGBT characters in TV shows or films. It’s a silent killer. I knew that people were disgusted by homosexuality.
Ajibike, who also shared his own experience as a homosexual man living in Nigeria, stated: “I’ve spent the most of my life living in fear. In Nigeria, I have very limited freedom. The culture is homophobic, including many members of my family, who had urged me to change since I was ten years old.
“I had been attacked brutally in the street on multiple times, and I realised it wasn’t safe for me to remain in Nigeria as an openly homosexual person.
“I’ve moved from one place to another, just to stay alive. I was always sad and didn’t know what to do to make my life better. In 2019, I was almost killed when the PM newspaper released a report that granted individuals the authority to execute every LGBTQ+ person in the country at once.
“During that time, many LGBTQ people I knew were killed. My boyfriend was slain. I was continuously terrified. I hadn’t seen anyone from my family in two years. Many people believed my family had been cursed and that we were all homosexuals. I considered suicide.
“Every LGBTQ+ person in Nigeria lives an invisible life. Beyond even prohibiting same sex marriage, this law dangerously restricts freedom of assembly. I know I’m not saved; neither are any of us.”
The letter recalled how, earlier in 2022, three students suspected of being gay, were reportedly apprehended and stoned to death in Kaduna.
“The general belief was that homosexuals deserve it and that the country should be purged of them. While European countries, most recently France, have moved to offer same-sex couples the legal rights enjoyed by heterosexuals, many African countries are seeking to tighten laws against homosexuality,” he stated.
“I’m happy I joined the Men’s Support Group, and it was extremely beneficial to speak with other men in my category. This country is no longer a safe place for LGBTQ. I will leave to a better country as soon as possible.”
Ajibike also called on the National Assembly to speak out for all Nigerians, regardless of their sexual orientation.
“I urge National Assembly members and the President to speak out for all Nigerians, regardless of sexual orientation. Everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, deserves to be treated with dignity, decency, and equality and this must be acknowledged,” he stated.
“It is importance that people should understand that homosexuality is not a disease. It is critical that all LBGTQ people be protected, have equal legal protection, have the right to associate freely, and have the ability to file criminal complaints against perpetrators.
“There is a high prevalence of homicides and kidnappings in the country, young people are unemployed, and food prices are increasing on every single day, among other issues which require immediate action, not laws which allow for extortion and discrimination.
The politicians ought to repeal the ban act and focus on other pressing issues confronting Nigerians such as poverty, unemployment, security, and others,” he added.
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