…Agreement signed in the interest of Nigeria – Minister
Nigerians have expressed their outrage following the Federal Government’s signing of the controversial Samoa Agreement, which reportedly contains clauses that compel underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community for recognition, as a condition for receiving financial and other support from advanced societies.
News of Nigeria’s ratification of the deal became public on Monday, July 1, when the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, confirmed the development at a reception organised by the European Union, (EU), in Abuja.
Named after the Pacific Island Samoa, where it was signed on November 15, 2023, the agreement is gradually gaining traction despite opposition from many countries that value Islamic and Christian principles, as well as the sensitivity of their cultures.
In Nigeria however, some clerics, rights activists, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria are furious over the Government’s decision to sign the controversial Samoa Agreement.
An official of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), who spoke to newsmen, said that the council’s stance on same sex marriage or LGBT remained unchanged. The Administrative Secretary of the council, Abubakar Akande, said that though they were invited and attended the meeting in March this year, it was not for them to ratify or oppose the draft shared with them.
He said that the 403-page document containing 104 articles was given to the Legal Director of the NSCIA, and that there was no same sex marriage in the draft”.
“We (NSCIA) would not welcome such agreement. Our stance remains the same since the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. We cannot agree to what is against the injunction of our Creator, Allah, on this matter; and which also disrespects Nigeria’s sovereignty”, he further said.
However, when contacted on Wednesday, Bagudu’s media assistant, Bolaji Adebiyi, clarified that the documents signed by the federal government, which the Minister of Budget referenced during the EU reception, were strictly for Nigeria’s economic development.
Adebiyi emphasised that nowhere in the documents were LGBT or same-sex marriage mentioned, insisting that it would be wrong for anyone to imply that Nigeria had accepted those tendencies.
He stated that Bagudu signed a $150 billion trade component and reiterated that the gender equality requirement in the loan agreement should not be construed as an acceptance of an LGBT clause.
Also in a swift response to the public outcry, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the Samoa
Agreement was signed in the interest of Nigeria
According to an issued press statement yesterday, the Minister said, “Nigeria signed the Agreement on Friday 28 June 2024. This was done after the extensive reviews and consultations by the Interministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ). It was ensured that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravenes the 1999 Constitution as amended or laws of Nigeria, and other extant Laws.
In addition, Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated 26th June 2024, clarifying its understanding and context of the Agreement within its jurisdiction to the effect that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid. It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same sex relationship 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.
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 OACPS Member States at the international stage”.
Despite these clarifications, a coalition of some African civil society organisations (CSOs) said that it will be a huge disappointment for Nigeria and its citizens, if it turns out to be true that the deal was signed, and that it is toxic to the moral standing of the citizens of Nigeria.
Reactions on social media also show that many Nigerians believe the agreement includes an LGBT clause.
Apparently infuriated by the news report, which had since been denied by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which was accused of signing the deal on behalf of Nigeria, a Deputy Editor of the newspaper that broke the news, AbdulAziz AbdulAziz, took to his verified Facebook page to lambast the working place, citing procedural and editorial errors in the report.
He wrote: “When you claim an agreement signed has some provisions it behoves on you to copiously refer to sections of the so-called agreement to back up your claim. Journalism is not presumptive or guess-work. The story is bereft of the most rudimentary journalism requirement – evidence”.
From other social media posts, @IAlaetuo tweeted, “Tinubu don agree homosexual ooo… Muslim/Muslim ticket, lol.”; @lecomtephyn wrote, “People campaigned saying Peter Obi’s son is gay, see their president wan legalize am .. lol.”.
@dipoaina1 suggested: “Whoever signed that agreement should better ‘unsign it’ immediately. We will never accept the Zionist-Jewish mafias monopoly in Nigeria’s Never.”;
Also, @AlliOlabisi5 tweeted, “From the article, the deal has a clause that says LGBT rights must be protected. So homosexuality is now an open thing supported by the government now? So much for morality and African culture.”
Similarly, @ChiduObodo posted: “Let it be noted in Nigerian history books that it’s a Muslim-Muslim presidency that consciously, or unconsciously, legalized perverts in Nigeria”; while @ibemere_obinna wrote: “Muslim-Muslim ticket running the country, everywhere is quiet. Let it be GEJ that tried this, nationwide protests would have erupted. Finally, na hypocrisy go kill Nigerians”.
On her part, Media Coordinator, World Council for Health (WCH) International and Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH), Mrs. Omoye Olaye, said the Federal Government must rescind the deal.
She said, “Our stand is very clear; Whoever signed on behalf of Nigerians needs to apologise to Nigerians. But we need more than the apology. We need Mr. President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to rescind that signature. All he (Tinubu) needs to do is to apologise on Nigeria’s behalf very nicely and tell them that the truth is we have not signed. We are withdrawing from the ACP EU Treaty. That is all we ask the President to do. That is all we will accept. Anything less than that will not be accepted”.
When contacted yesterday to know whether they were aware of recent controversies surrounding the Samoa Agreement, the spokesman of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), Kamarudeen Ogundele, said he had to make some findings, but was unable to respond as of press time. Alsi, when contacted yesterday, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements, Rep. Rabiu Yusuf, said that the Samoa Agreement had not been brought before the National Assembly for consideration.
Various religious bodies across Nigeria have reiterated their commendations to past administrations for maintaining Nigeria’s strong objection to the LGBT tendencies.
