Senate President, David Mark on Sunday vowed not to give in to foreign pressure.

The President of the Nigerian Senate, David Mark, on Sunday, January 6, 2013 insisted that the bill prohibiting same sex marriage in the country was irrevocable, irrespective of pressure from some sections of the international community and human rights activists demanding its legalisation.

Thisday newspaper said Senator Mark made the disclosure while addressing Catholic Christians and guests at a civic reception in honour of Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyean in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, on Monday, January 7, 2013, David Mark said besides banning same sex marriage, the Act also makes homosexuality a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. He vowed that the Senate will not compromise on the matter.

While inviting the church to join in the crusade against homosexuality and same sex marriage, the Senate leader called on Nigerians to prove to advocates of what he described as “this unnatural way,” that they promote and respect sanity, morality and humanity. And that every individual is the product of the union of a man and woman. According to Premium Times newspaper, Nigeria’s Senate in November 2011 approved a bill that will make same-sex marriage punishable by 14 years imprisonment and 10 years for anyone abetting such unions.

The bill also outlaws gay organisations. It passed the second reading in the House of Representatives with a unanimous vote and will be forwarded to President Goodluck Jonathan for approval after a clause-by-clause review and approval of the law by the House of Representatives this year. The bill will only become law after the President gives his assent. The formulation of the anti-same sex law has pitched Nigeria against gay supporters, with the United States and Britain condemning it as an infringement on the rights of gays and lesbians.

British Prime Minister, David Cameron, warned that the UK will consider withholding aid from countries that do not recognise gay rights. U.S. President, Barack Obama, has also ordered all government agencies that play an active foreign policy role to take steps to encourage foreign nations to put a premium on gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender rights. The law is supported by Nigerians and has been widely praised by religious and opinion leaders.