CSOs flay legalisation of abortion, contraceptives in Nigeria

Twenty-three Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH), Project for Human Development (PHD), Association of Concerned Mother’s, Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Foundation for Marriage and Family and Islamic Platform of Nigeria, have called on Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, to dismantle existing structures in place to promote abortion and related interventions in Nigeria.

The CSOs also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure his ministers do not work in violation of extant laws.

The groups, through their convener, Dr. Nkechi Asogwa, at a press conference, yesterday, on evil consequences of the bill allowing abortion in the country and other related matters at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Lagos, with the theme: ‘Respect Nigeria’s Law on Abortion and Related Matters,’ claimed “Ehanire, in conspiracy with the World Health Organisation (WHO), recently launched a comprehensive abortion policy in Nigeria aimed at killing Nigerian babies and children.”

They added: “The WHO, which is heavily funding and masterminding the project, boasts that it would dismantle all legal, religious and cultural, as well as philosophical principles in Nigeria to pave way for killing of Nigerian babies through abortion.

“By virtue of the combined effect of Sections 228, 229, 230 and 328 of the Criminal Code (and their equivalent provisions in the penal code), abortion is illegal.

“Abortion has no respect for the religious and philosophical convictions of the Nigerian people and therefore cannot be imported into Nigeria.”

A legal practitioner, Sonnie Ekwowusi, condemned any intention by the minister to legalise abortion and administration of harmful drugs on Nigerian children.

An Anglican priest, Ven. Okey Ifionu, described abortion as outright killing, contrary to God’s commandment.

Sheikh Abduralman Adangba also condemned the bill.