Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara State, Professor Timothy Opoola yesterday urged the Nigerian government to maintain its position against gay marriage which he described as evil.

The cleric condemned the legalisation of gay marriage in the United States, through a Supreme Court ruling.

He said it was unfortunate that the US which prides itself as God's own country would legalize same sex marriage.

"It is not good. It is against God's purpose. That legalization is against God's purpose. It is unfortunate that America that calls itself God's own country is now going against the will of God," he said.

Opoola stressed that Nigeria should maintain its stance against gay marriage, irrespective of pressure.

"It has been debated in Nigeria before and the stance of the country is still the best that we should never allow gay marriage. We should never allow lesbianism. We should never allow anything that is evil. Gay marriage is evil and we should not allow it. Nigeria should take her position even if any nation wants to cut ties with us. It is better to be on God's side than to be against God", he added.

Also speaking with Daily Trust correspondent, Secretary General of Islamic Missionaries Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, said all nations of the world must rise to condemn the development in US, describing same sex marriage as "immoral, anti-social and highly condemnable," he said.

"In the society today, virtually all religions condemn gay marriage. If America now sees itself as a nation that can do whatever it likes without putting into consideration the moral aspect of that action, then it is really sad."