The Tinubu-led administration has responded to the controversy surrounding the Samoa Agreement and its implied LGBTQ terms. On Thursday, the federal government clarified that the agreement ratified by President Bola Tinubu on the international stage does not invalidate Nigeria’s law on same-sex marriage, which remains supreme over the agreement.
Official Statement
In a press statement, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris emphasized that the government was guided by the morality and core values of its people before signing the treaty. He stated, “On 28 June 2024, Nigeria signed the Samoa Agreement at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. The partnership agreement is between the EU and its Member States, on one hand, and the members of the OACPS on the other.”
Agreement Details
The Samoa Agreement, adopted in Apia, Samoa on November 15, 2018, by 27 EU Member States and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member States, has 103 articles comprising a common foundational compact and three regional protocols. These include Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols, each addressing the peculiar issues of their regions.
For the African Regional Protocol, the framework covers:
- – Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth and Development
- – – Human and Social Development
– Environment, Natural Resources Management, and Climate Change - – – Peace and Security
- – Human Rights, Democracy, and Governance
- – – Migration and Mobility
Nigeria’s Stance
Mohammed Idris reiterated that Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration on June 26, 2024, clarifying that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian laws would be invalid. He highlighted that Nigeria’s law against same-sex relationships, enacted in 2014, remains in force.
Response to Criticism
The agreement has sparked controversy, with human rights advocates and religious groups condemning Tinubu’s administration for accepting what previous governments, including that of Goodluck Jonathan, had declined. Responding to these concerns, Idris assured, “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.”
Importance of the Samoa Agreement
Idris emphasized that the Samoa Agreement is a crucial legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union. It aims to promote sustainable development, combat climate change, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among OACPS Member States on the international stage.
Bottom Line
The Tinubu administration is committed to upholding Nigeria’s laws and values while engaging in international agreements. The Samoa Agreement, despite its controversy, is seen as a vital tool for fostering development and cooperation, provided it aligns with the country’s legal framework and cultural values.
