Famous Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to authorize the Sexual Offences Bill (anti-rape bill) passed by the last National Assembly.
The award winning author and political activist, in a letter expressed apology for not making it to the event marking the June 12 anniversary in Lagos.
He said, “President Buhari – and here I make my first imposition on his presidency – should never place his assent on such a nefarious distraction,”
“Its implications doom the victim to afflictions that churn the stomach even to think of the
human toll. Perhaps those legislators think that vaginal fistula is something thought up by arm-chair critics with nothing better to occupy their minds. No matter, let those who profess a genuine concern declare their stand on this.
“On my part, I find unacceptable any effort to build a nation on perversions that merely minister to man’s sexual appetites. This is a sordid appeasement of a minority who actually require psychiatric help.
“President Buhari should not give his assent to the Bill without amendments that address the earlier Yerimah gift to the nation. It’s a trap.”
Mr. Soyinka asked for help in understanding the bill which he described as a case of “rubbing vaseline on leprosy”.
If we recall, the Sexual Offences Bill, 2015, was among the 46 bills passed by the 7th Senate in a last minute flurry of activities last week.
The bill stipulates a life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with children under 11 years; 10 years for incest; 10 years for child pornography or a fine of N2 million; and 14 years for sexual abuse, among others.
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