Nigerian politicians reportedly hit back at Theresa May about LGBT rights after her apology to the Commonwealth

                      
Nigerian politicians have reportedly hit back at Prime Minister Theresa May after she promoted LGBT rights in the Commonwealth countries that still criminalise homosexuality.

During the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Theresa May made a high-profile intervention where she spoke about the UK’s regret at imposing anti-gay laws in former colonies.  

May noted that 36 of the 53 Commonwealth countries continue to criminalise homosexuality, saying: “I deeply regret the fact that such laws were introduced, and the legacy of discrimination, violence and even death that persists today.

“As a family of nations, we must respect one another’s cultures and traditions, but we must do so in a manner consistent with our common value of equality – a value that is clearly stated in the Commonwealth charter.
“Nobody should face discrimination or persecution because of who they are or who they love.”

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Getty Images)

Related: Commonwealth of homophobia: One billion live under anti-gay laws exported by Britain
May continued: “The UK stands ready to support any Commonwealth member wanting to reform outdated legislation that makes such discrimination possible, because the world has changed.”

According to Nigerian news outlets, several Nigerian politicians have criticised the British Prime Minister for asking any country to change its laws on homosexuality.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the majority leader of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, said that he “seriously doubted” any reversal of Nigeria’s harsh penalties for homosexuality in a statement 



Currently, homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria, with some parts of the conservative country handing down prison sentences of to up to 14 years for being gay.