OGUN ABORTION BILL: PRO-LIFE GROUP URGES ABIODUN TO WITHHOLD ASSENT

A pro-life group has urged Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun not to sign a proposed abortion-related bill into law, raising concerns over its implications and calling on the state government to reconsider the legislation.

The development has brought renewed attention to the debate surrounding abortion legislation, reproductive healthcare and the protection of unborn children in Nigeria. The issue involves differing perspectives on public health, legal rights, religious and moral beliefs, and the responsibilities of government in regulating healthcare.

The group’s appeal places pressure on the governor as stakeholders continue to express their views on the proposed legislation. By asking Abiodun to withhold his assent, the organisation is seeking to prevent the bill from becoming law in its current form.

The campaign is being led by AYUBSON Life Foundation, which staged a peaceful protest in Abeokuta on Thursday. The group’s founder and director, Yusuf Ayuba, argued that women facing crisis pregnancies should receive medical care, counselling and practical assistance rather than relying on pregnancy termination as a solution. The organisation also questioned whether the proposed state law would conflict with existing federal legislation.

The Ogun State House of Assembly passed the Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill, 2026, on September 24 and forwarded it to Abiodun for assent. The proposed legislation aims to reduce maternal illness and deaths, promote safe motherhood and reproductive health rights, and establish conditions under which pregnancy termination may be carried out in legally recognised circumstances.

Supporters of the bill have argued that a clear legal framework could help address high-risk pregnancies and reduce preventable maternal deaths. Earlier, the Assembly’s Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, said lawmakers would scrutinise the bill to ensure its provisions aligned with the Constitution and other applicable laws.

The debate has highlighted differing views on reproductive healthcare, the protection of unborn children and the responsibilities of government in supporting women and families. While pro-life groups are urging the governor to reject the bill, supporters point to the need for medical safeguards and clearer legal guidance for healthcare providers.

AYUBSON Life Foundation has called on the state government to strengthen support for pregnant women and families facing difficult circumstances, including access to healthcare, counselling and social assistance. The group maintains that these measures should be prioritised as the governor considers whether to assent to the legislation.

The governor’s decision is now a key point of attention in the debate. Any final outcome is likely to have implications for reproductive healthcare policy in Ogun State and the legal framework governing pregnancy termination.