Johnkennedy Uzoma
12 July 2009
Owerri — The Imo State House of Assembly yesterday rejected the bill to provide certain reproductive rights to women based on the ground that the bill would encourage abortion. The rejection followed the adoption of recommendations of the report of the joint committee submitted to the House. The Speaker, Goodluck Opiah who read out the committee's report said the bill was against African culture and would create problems in families. According to the Speaker, out of 15 contributors, 13 argued that the bill be rejected on the ground that it was against marriage covenants and violates chapter 4 of the Nigerian constitution.
He noted that the bill was against the gender rights law which states that abortion could only be carried out on doctor's recommendation, adding that the bill was parochial as it did not consider the plight of children and fathers. Opiah commended the House for adopting the recommendation. Before the unanimous adoption of the recommendation of the committee, some lawmakers who supported the bill during the first and second readings withdrew their support.
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