Achudume Appeals to Gov. Abiodun Not to Sign Ogun Pregnancy Termination Bill, Says It will Encourage Shedding Of Blood
The General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC), Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has appealed to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, not to assent to the proposed Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, warning that the legislation could encourage pregnancy termination and increase the loss of unborn lives.
Achudume made the appeal during a special thanksgiving service organised by the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary, held at the international headquarters of Victory Life Bible Church along the Abeokuta-Ajebo Expressway.
The cleric, who acknowledged the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in Ogun State under the present administration, urged the governor to sustain his commitment to peace and protection of human lives by withholding his assent to the proposed legislation.
He specifically appealed to the governor not to sign the bill, identified as H.B. No. 036/OG/2026, titled Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, which seeks to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, promote safe motherhood and reproductive health rights, and establish conditions for the safe termination of pregnancy under specified legal indications.
According to Achudume, the proposed law raises concerns about the sanctity of human life, insisting that the state should avoid anything that could further encourage the termination of pregnancies.
“For humanity’s sake, this bill should not be signed into law. We do not want any more shedding of blood. Let the child live,” he appealed.
He described Governor Abiodun as a leader who loves children and urged him to ensure that his decision on the legislation reflects the value he places on the preservation of human life, particularly as his tenure approaches its end.
The cleric further called on the Ogun NUJ to lend its voice to the appeal, stressing that the media has a responsibility to engage government and raise public concerns on issues bordering on humanity and the welfare of society.
Achudume also commended the Ogun NUJ for what he described as its vibrancy, dynamism and forward-thinking approach, declaring it one of the most active state councils of the union in Nigeria.
He praised the council for sustaining the legacy of professional journalism in Ogun State, noting that the state occupies a significant place in the history of journalism and press freedom in West Africa.
The cleric described journalists as the moral conscience of society and urged media practitioners to remain objective, courageous and committed to truth, accountability and the defence of the common man, particularly amid prevailing political and socio-economic challenges.
He challenged the present generation of journalists to protect the legacy of their predecessors while upholding the ethics of the profession and using their platforms to promote national development.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ogun NUJ, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, expressed appreciation to the church leadership and congregation for their hospitality and continued spiritual support for the union.
Olanrewaju reaffirmed the council’s commitment to professional ethics, unity among media practitioners and the promotion of developmental journalism, assuring that it would continue to play its watchdog role in strengthening democracy.
Special prayers were also offered for the safety of journalists, divine guidance for NUJ leaders, the peace of Ogun State and the prosperity of Nigeria.
The thanksgiving service was part of a week-long programme organised by the Ogun NUJ to commemorate its Golden Jubilee, celebrate five decades of journalism practice in the state, honour its founding fathers and chart a new course for the profession in the digital era.
