Cross River Assembly Advances Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Bill

The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill titled “A Bill for a Law to Prohibit Contract of Marriage or Civil Union Entered into Between Persons of the Same Sex, Solemnisation of Same, Whether Cultural or in Accordance with Any Statute in Existence, and for Matters Connected Therewith, 2026.” This bill, sponsored by Hilary Bisong, the member representing Boki II State Constituency, and co-sponsored by 10 other lawmakers, seeks to prohibit the recognition and solemnisation of same-sex marriages and civil unions in Cross River State, including those contracted outside the state or Nigeria. The legislation recognizes only marriages between a man and a woman as valid and prescribes penalties for offenders and those who aid or promote such unions.

During the plenary on Tuesday, lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, emphasizing its necessity to preserve the state’s cultural, moral, and family values. Speaker Elvert Ayambem stated the Assembly's duty to protect the institution of marriage as recognized by the laws and customs of the people.

The bill will now proceed to the committee stage for further legislative scrutiny.