Reno Omokri, a well-known social commentator, shared his insights on the arrest, trial, and imprisonment of popular Nigerian crossdresser, Bobrisky, for alleged abuse of the Naira.
According to Omokri, the Nigerian government was well aware that any overt attempt to restrict cross-dressing would attract backlash from the influential LGBTQ community in the United States and the United Kingdom. Citing the example of Ghana, where the passage of anti-LGBTQ legislation led to the World Bank reconsidering a $3.8 billion loan, Omokri argues that Nigeria could not afford to risk its improving economy after years of stagnation under the previous administration.
Omokri further highlighted the political implications of taking a stance against LGBTQ rights, recalling how former President Goodluck Jonathan’s signing of a law criminalizing same-sex relationships in 2014 led to opposition from then-U.S. President Barack Obama and U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron during Jonathan’s re-election campaign.
According to Omokri, the Nigerian government was well aware that any overt attempt to restrict cross-dressing would attract backlash from the influential LGBTQ community in the United States and the United Kingdom. Citing the example of Ghana, where the passage of anti-LGBTQ legislation led to the World Bank reconsidering a $3.8 billion loan, Omokri argues that Nigeria could not afford to risk its improving economy after years of stagnation under the previous administration.
Omokri further highlighted the political implications of taking a stance against LGBTQ rights, recalling how former President Goodluck Jonathan’s signing of a law criminalizing same-sex relationships in 2014 led to opposition from then-U.S. President Barack Obama and U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron during Jonathan’s re-election campaign.
In contrast, Omokri claims that President Buhari’s handlers were more adept at navigating the situation, hiring David Axelrod, a key advisor to both Obama and the LGBTQ movement in America, and signaling their intention to frustrate the anti-gay marriage law signed by Jonathan if Buhari were to be supported by Western powers.
Credit: The Nigeria Lawyer