Nigerian political candidate says homosexuality ought to remain a crime
Donald Duke is set to go up for the national elections next year
By Steve Brown
A Nigerian leading political candidate in the national elections has said homosexuality will always remain a crime in the country.
Donald Duke originally told the YouTube talk show, On The Couch, that he wouldn’t criminalise homosexuality if he won the upcoming election next year despite not understanding the “feelings” of gay people.
He said: “I don’t understand the emotional feelings a gay person would have toward someone of their sexuality.
“I don’t understand it. But I would not criminalise them. I would ensure that they have the protection of the law.”
However, he has now taken to Instagram to clarify his comments and said his comments were construed to show his support for the LGBT+ community.
He wrote: “Recently, a statement I made during an interview concerning gay rights and homosexuality has been construed as my affirmation of my homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
“Nothing is further from the truth. Homosexuality is a crime in Nigeria and ought to remain so.
“What I however did say is that I would not go seeking homosexuals for prosecution as this is liable to abuses and as such would rather not delve into the sexuality of an individual.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our law on homosexuality stand in fact and in my moral rectitude.”
Currently, homosexuality carries a jail term of up to 14 years.