By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
A non-governmental organisation, AYUBSON Life Foundation, on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to withhold his assent to the proposed Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026.
The protest followed the passage of a bill titled H.B. No. 036/OG/2026 – Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026 by the Ogun State House of Assembly in September.
The proposed legislation seeks to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, promote safe motherhood and reproductive health rights, and establish legal conditions for the safe termination of pregnancy.
However, members of the foundation and other participants in Thursday’s demonstration expressed opposition to the bill, arguing that it could weaken the protection of unborn children.
The protesters urged the state government to prioritise measures that provide pregnant women and families experiencing difficult circumstances with the medical care, counselling and practical assistance they need.
Carrying placards bearing messages such as “Say No to Abortion, Say Yes to Life,” “Protect Unborn Babies, Support Families,” “Choose Life, Not Abortion,” and “Our Children, Our Future: Protect Them,” the demonstrators appealed to the governor to reject the proposed legislation.
Other inscriptions read, “They Deserve a Chance to Live” and “Together for a Life-Friendly Ogun State.”
Speaking to reporters during the protest, the founder and director of AYUBSON Life Foundation, Yusuf Ayuba, said the organisation was committed to protecting unborn children and promoting what he described as a culture that values human life.
Ayuba said the demonstration was organised to draw the governor’s attention to the foundation’s concerns before the bill received executive assent.
“We are here to express our concerns about the Pregnancy Termination Bill passed by the Ogun State House of Assembly in September 2026. We understand that the bill is awaiting the governor’s assent before it can be fully implemented in the state,” he said.
He maintained that the foundation opposed the proposed law, questioning whether the state could enact legislation permitting practices he argued were prohibited under existing federal laws.
“We are saying no to this bill. We believe that abortion is prohibited under Nigeria’s existing laws, and we question whether the state has the authority to legalise what we consider to be illegal at the federal level,” Ayuba said.
He also argued that abortion should not be considered the preferred response to crisis pregnancies, insisting that women in such circumstances should receive adequate support.
According to him, the government should strengthen access to medical services, counselling and practical assistance for women facing unplanned or difficult pregnancies.
“Even in cases involving crisis pregnancies, I do not believe abortion is the best option or the solution. Women need support. Those experiencing crisis pregnancies need medical care, practical assistance, counselling and guidance,” he added.
Ayuba appealed directly to Governor Abiodun to reject the bill, expressing the foundation’s concern about its potential implications.
“We are appealing to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, not to sign or implement the Pregnancy Termination Bill. We believe that it will cause more harm than good,” he said.
The foundation’s director further urged the state government to address pressing socioeconomic challenges, including poverty, hunger and unemployment, while expanding support systems for women and families facing difficult circumstances.
He explained that the organisation became aware of the proposed legislation relatively late in the legislative process, prompting it to launch an urgent awareness campaign to communicate its position to the public and the state government.
“To be honest, we did not hear about the bill when it was at the first and second reading stages. We received the news as an emergency, which is why we organised this awareness campaign to communicate our concerns,” he said.
Ayuba also expressed concern that many residents who could be affected by the legislation were allegedly unaware that the bill had been passed by the Assembly.
“What baffles us most is that the people who will be affected by this bill have no voice and cannot speak for themselves. Many of those who will be affected are not even aware that the bill has been passed,” he added.
He said the foundation considered the protest necessary because the governor had yet to assent to the bill, giving the group an opportunity to appeal against its eventual approval.
Also speaking during the demonstration, the president of the National Association of Ogun State Students at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Badekale Abdullai, expressed support for the campaign.
Abdullai said the student body was participating in the awareness drive to support the foundation’s appeal to the state government.
“We are here today in support of the pro-life initiative of AYUBSON Life Foundation. We are participating in this awareness campaign to appeal to the Ogun State government, led by His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to help protect unborn babies and support families,” he said.
He urged the governor to consider the concerns raised by the protesters, expressing hope that their appeal would receive a favourable response.
The demonstrators maintained that their action was aimed at persuading the governor to withhold his assent to the proposed legislation.
They reiterated their call for the state government to protect unborn children while providing adequate medical, emotional and practical support to women experiencing crisis pregnancies.
