I did not endorse gay marriages foreign minister laments

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, has denied endorsing gay marriages and posting of gay diplomats to foreign missions.


Some national dailies reported, weekend, that the minister endorsed gay marriages and was in the process of posting out gay diplomats on foreign missions.

But spokesman of the Ministry, Mr. Ogbole Ode, in a statement, yesterday, said:   “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to reports published in some national dailies of Saturday, 27th July 27, 2013.

“In these publications, it is alleged that Amb. Ashiru has endorsed gay marriages, and by extension, gay rights in Nigeria by accepting to accredit foreign diplomats who are gay, posted on tour of duty to Nigeria.

“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did the Minister, either in his public engagements or private encounters, endorse or suggest the endorsement of gay marriages and/or rights in the country.

“The Nigerian position on this issue is very clear, and Ashiru has, at every opportunity or forum, reiterated that foreign countries should not impose their values on Nigeria.”