FG promises to void the “LGBT” clause in the €150 billion SAMOA agreement that Nigeria signed.
The African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) States, Nigeria, and the European Union signed the “Samoa Agreement,” which includes “same-sex” clauses.
The federal government of Nigeria has threatened to nullify any such provisions.
Following considerable criticism over Nigerians’ assessment of the deal’s human rights and gender equality provisions, the country’s
Minister of Information and National Orientation provided the update on Thursday night.
The “Samoa Agreement,” which was reached on November 15, 2023, places a high priority on the rule of law, gender equality, democracy, and human rights.
The SAMOA agreement
Notably, the 2000 Cotonou Agreement is replaced with the SAMOA agreement.
Through Economic Partnership Agreements, the Cotonou Agreement enhanced trade links between the areas while fostering collaboration on matters of peace and security.
By 2027, the EU plans to invest a minimum of €150 billion in Africa under the “Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package,” as announced in the SAMOA agreement.
This entails completing 11 key corridors, such as building the Rosso Bridge that connects Senegal and Mauritania and updating Kenya’s highway system.
Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, the media assistant to Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the minister of budget, emphasized that the pact contained no reference of same-sex legislation and was solely for economic development.
What he posted on Twitter,
“It would be incorrect for anyone to suggest that Nigeria has approved LGBT or same-sex marriage trends when, in fact, the
documents signed by the federal government were solely focused on the economic development of Nigeria. Bagudu’s signature relates to a commerce component worth $150 billion.
FG’s comprehension of the SAMOA agreement
Idris clarified the Samoa pact further, saying that Nigeria’s delegates understood it to be signed in the country’s economic interest.
But he also said that the Nigerian government had told all parties involved before the agreement was signed that any provision that supported same-sex marriage would be void.
He insisted that same-sex relationships are illegal in Nigeria.
“A common foundational compact and three regional protocols—Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols—each of which addresses
the unique issues of the respective regions—comprise the 103 articles of the (Somoa) agreement,” he stated.
The Agreement was signed by Nigeria on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP), along with the
Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Justice (FMOJ), called an Interministerial Committee and had comprehensive evaluations and consultations before taking this action.
It was confirmed that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement violate Nigerian law, other current laws, or the 1999 Constitution as amended.
A Statement of Declaration, dated June 26, 2024, which outlined Nigeria’s interpretation and context of the Agreement within its jurisdiction and said
that any provision that conflicts with Nigerian law would be null and void, was also included with Nigeria’s endorsement.
“Noting that Nigeria has laws prohibiting same-sex relationships that were passed in 2014 is instructive.”
Idris gave Nigerians assurance that, as a rule-based administration, the President Bola Tinubu Administration will not sign any
foreign agreements that would be harmful to the interests of the nation and its people.
In order to combat climate change and its effects, promote sustainable development, create investment opportunities, and encourage cooperation among the
OACPS Member States on the international arena, he insisted that the Samoa Agreement is nothing more than a crucial legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union.
The principal spokesman for the federal government of Nigeria’s executive branch is Idris.
Nigeria maintains numerous economic alliances with other nations and global institutions; nevertheless, the Samoa agreement has not been well received by many Nigerians.
