The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogun State Chapter, has appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun not to assent to the recently passed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill.
The appeal was contained in a press statement signed by the State Chairman of CAN, The Right Reverend Emmanuel Oludaisi Adekunle, obtained by the Tribune Online on Sunday.
Adekunle, who is also the Bishop of Egba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, said the passage of the bill violated the sanctity of life, the right to life under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, freedom of conscience under Section 38, and the moral duty to protect both the mother and the unborn child.
Recall that the Ogun State House of Assembly, last Thursday, passed a bill seeking to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, promote safe motherhood and reproductive health rights, and establish conditions for the safe termination of pregnancy in accordance with legal indications.
Following the completion of the legislative process, the Speaker directed that the clean copy of the bill be forwarded to the governor for assent.
However, CAN said the bill could compel Christian workers and faith-based hospitals to act contrary to their religious convictions, which it said violates Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution.
The CAN chairman also said the religious body and other Christian leaders were not part of the public hearing on the bill, which he said negated Christian and Islamic beliefs.
He maintained that victims of rape, sexual violence and poverty needed counselling, protection, justice and support rather than condemnation.
Adekunle said CAN remained willing to partner with the government to reduce maternal mortality, protect women and safeguard unborn life.
“We prayerfully appeal to His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, not to assent to this Bill. It violates sanctity of life, right to life under Section 33, Freedom of Conscience under Section 38, and the moral duty to protect both mother and the unborn child,” he added.
