The Federal Government has moved to allay concerns over the controversial Samoa Agreement, which has sparked widespread criticism and outrage among Nigerians.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing on Thursday, assured that the $150bn deal aligns with the country’s best interests and does not violate the Constitution or existing laws, including the ban on same-sex marriage.
He said, “It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria enacted in 2014.
“It is necessary to assure Nigerians that the President Bola Tinubu administration, being a rule-based government, will not enter into any international agreement that will be detrimental to the interest of the country and its citizens.
“In negotiating the Agreement, our officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and the OACPS for the process.
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“The Samoa Agreement is nothing but a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, to promote sustainable development, fight climate change and its effects, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among the OACPS member states at the international stage.”
Idris’s statement comes in response to a report by Daily Trust, which suggested that the agreement includes clauses that require developing nations to support LGBTQ rights in exchange for financial support from advanced countries.
The minister emphasized that the agreement does not promote same-sex relationships, citing the existing 2014 legislation that criminalizes such activities in Nigeria.
The government’s defense of the Samoa Agreement highlights the delicate balance between international cooperation and domestic sensitivities.
While the agreement aims to foster sustainable development, climate action, and investment opportunities between the European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), its perceived connection to LGBTQ rights has ignited fierce debate.
By reassuring Nigerians that the President Bola Tinubu administration prioritizes the country’s interests and will not compromise on its values, the government seeks to placate concerns and maintain public trust.
As the controversy surrounding the Samoa Agreement continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government’s stance will be received by the Nigerian public and the international community.
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