The Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Ogun State Chapter, has appealed to the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, not to assent to the recently passed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill.
The appeal was contained in a statement signed by the Ogun State Chairman of CAN, The Right Reverend Emmanuel Oludaisi Adekunle, who is also the Bishop of Egba Diocese, Anglican Communion.
Rev. Adekunle argued that the passage of the bill was contrary to the Christian position on the sanctity of human life and raised concerns about its implications for the protection of unborn children.
He also cited Sections 33 and 38 of the 1999 Constitution, which provide for the right to life and freedom of conscience respectively.
The Ogun State House of Assembly had on Thursday passed the bill, which seeks to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, promote safe motherhood and reproductive health rights, and provide conditions for the safe termination of pregnancy in line with specified legal indications.
The bill, titled “H.B. No. 036/OG/2026 – Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026,” was passed during a plenary presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Following the passage of the bill, the Speaker directed that the clean copy be forwarded to Governor Abiodun for assent.
However, the state chapter of CAN expressed opposition to the proposed legislation, saying it could create situations where Christian workers and faith based medical institutions might be required to act against their religious convictions.
Rev. Adekunle argued that such a situation would raise questions around freedom of conscience as provided for under Section 38 of the Constitution.
The CAN chairman also expressed concern that Christian leaders and other representatives of the faith were not included in the public hearing on the bill.
According to him, the concerns of Christian and Islamic communities should have been considered in the legislative process.
He further maintained that women who become pregnant as a result of rape or sexual violence, as well as those facing pregnancy-related challenges because of poverty, require counselling, protection, justice and support.
Rev. Adekunle said CAN remained willing to work with the Ogun State Government on measures aimed at reducing maternal mortality, protecting women and addressing challenges surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.
He therefore appealed to the governor to withhold his assent to the bill.
“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 said.
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