Cross River State Legislature takes steps to outlaw gay weddings

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Cross River Assembly

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…as bill scales second reading

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By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

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The Cross River State House of Assembly on Tuesday inched closer to outlawing same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state, as a bill seeking a total ban scaled second reading during plenary.

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The bill, titled “A Bill for a Law to Prohibit Contract of Marriage or Civil Union Entered into Between Persons of Same Sex, Solemnization of Same, Whether Cultural or in Accordance with Any Statute in Existence, and for Matters Connected Therewith, 2026,” is sponsored by the lawmaker representing Boki II State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong, and co-sponsored by 10 others

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If passed into law, the bill would bar the recognition and solemnization of same-sex marriages and civil unions within the state, including such unions contracted outside Cross River or Nigeria.

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It further seeks to entrench marriage between a man and a woman as the only union recognised under state law, while spelling out penalties for offenders as well as those who aid, promote or facilitate same-sex unions.

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Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, lawmakers spoke with one voice in backing the legislation, describing it as necessary to safeguard the state’s cultural, moral and family values.

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Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the Assembly was constitutionally and morally bound to protect the institution of marriage as defined by the customs, traditions and laws of the people of Cross River State.

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He insisted that marriage remained strictly a union between a man and a woman, and vowed that the House would resist any practice at variance with the state’s cultural and religious values.

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“As representatives of the people, we have a duty to preserve the moral fabric of our society and enact laws that reflect the collective values of our citizens.
“Cross River State has always upheld marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and this House will continue to defend that position,” Ayambem said.

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The bill will now proceed to the next legislative stage, where it is expected to undergo further scrutiny before a possible third reading and eventual transmission to the governor for assent.

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