By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

A pro-life organisation, AYUBSON Life Foundation, has staged a peaceful protest in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to withhold his assent to the proposed Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026.

The protesters, who took to the streets on Thursday, expressed opposition to the bill, which they said could undermine the protection of unborn children.

They called on the state government to prioritise support for pregnant women and families facing difficult circumstances.

The demonstrators, dressed in white T-shirts and carrying placards with messages advocating the protection of unborn children, gathered at about 8:30 a.m. under the overhead bridge linking Abiola Way with IBB Boulevard before marching to the Governor’s Office at Oke-Mosan.

Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: “Say No to Abortion, Say Yes to Life”; “Protect Unborn Babies, Support Families”; “Choose Life, Not Abortion”; “Our Children, Our Future: Protect Them”; “They Deserve a Chance to Live”; and “Together for a Life-Friendly Ogun State.”

Speaking with journalists during the protest, the founder and director of AYUBSON Life Foundation, Yusuf Ayuba, said the organisation was committed to protecting unborn children and promoting a culture that values human life.

He said, “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.

“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 the organisation was also concerned about what it described as the potential physical and psychological consequences of abortion, arguing that women facing crisis pregnancies should receive medical care, counselling and practical support.

“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 said.

The foundation’s director urged Abiodun to reject the bill, arguing that the government should concentrate on addressing challenges such as poverty, hunger and unemployment while strengthening support systems for women and families.

“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,” Ayuba said.

He also invoked the influence of Christianity and Islam in the state, maintaining that the bill conflicted with the organisation’s understanding of the moral teachings of the two major religions.

Ayuba, however, acknowledged that the organisation became aware of the bill relatively late in the legislative process, saying this prompted it to organise an urgent awareness campaign.

“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.

He added that the foundation had submitted petitions to the relevant authorities and expressed hope that the governor would consider the protesters’ position before making a decision.

“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 said.

Ayuba said the protesters believed their intervention was necessary because the governor had yet to assent to the legislation.

“We understand that the governor has not yet assented to the bill, and that is why we are here. We believe he will hear our concerns,” he added.

Also speaking, the president of the National Association of Ogun State Students at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Badekale Abdullai, expressed support for the campaign, calling on the state government to consider the concerns raised by the foundation.

“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,” Abdullai said.

He urged the governor to give the matter careful consideration, expressing hope that the protesters’ appeal would receive a favourable response.

Recall that the Ogun State House of Assembly passed the bill, titled H.B. No. 036/OG/2026 — Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide.

The bill was considered following a report by the House Committee on Health, chaired by Hon. Wahab Haruna, who was also identified by Ayuba as the bill’s sponsor alongside eight other lawmakers.

The protesters maintained that their campaign was intended to persuade the governor to withhold his assent, insisting that the protection of unborn children and the provision of support for women facing crisis pregnancies should remain priorities for the state government.