FG Denies LGBT Provision in $150bn Samoa Agreement, Says Minister Abubakar Atiku Bagudu

Ibrahim Shehu Adili

6 months ago

LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Nigerian Federal Government’s recent $150 billion Samoa trade agreement with the European Union has sparked significant controversy. Information Minister Mohammed Idris and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu have firmly denied claims that the agreement includes any provisions related to same-sex marriage or LGBT rights.

The Agreement and Its Objectives

Last November, the European Union, its 27 member states, and 79 member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) signed the agreement in Apia, Samoa’s capital. Known as the ‘Samoa Agreement’, it aims to address emerging global challenges such as climate change, ocean governance, migration, health, and security.

Nigeria joined the agreement on June 28, 2024, a move publicly disclosed by Minister Bagudu earlier this week. The Samoa Agreement succeeds the Cotonou Agreement and is designed to foster economic development and tackle global issues collectively.

Public Backlash and Misunderstandings

The announcement has led to a barrage of online reactions, with some Nigerians mistakenly believing that the agreement recognizes LGBT rights. Nigeria’s stance on LGBT issues is clear, with the 2014 Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act outlawing such relationships.

Prominent voices like former lawmaker Shehu Sani and members of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have voiced their opposition. Sani, in a social media post, urged African countries to reject any international agreements that contravene cultural and religious values.

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) also condemned the agreement, calling for Nigeria’s withdrawal from what they termed a “treacherous move”.

Clarifications from the Government

In response, Bagudu’s spokesman Bolaji Adebiyi clarified that the agreement focuses solely on economic development. “The documents signed by the Federal Government were strictly for the economic development of Nigeria. Nowhere in the documents were LGBT or same-sex marriage mentioned even remotely,” Adebiyi stated.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga and Information Minister Mohammed Idris echoed these sentiments, stressing that the agreement was reviewed to ensure it does not contravene Nigerian laws. Idris emphasized that Nigeria’s endorsement of the agreement included a declaration ensuring that any inconsistent provisions with Nigerian laws would be invalid.

Idris further reassured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to upholding national values. “The President Bola Tinubu Administration will not enter into any international agreement detrimental to the interests of the country and its citizens,” he stated.

Conclusion

The Samoa Agreement, signed at the OACPS Secretariat in Brussels, is intended to bolster Nigeria’s economic development without compromising its legal and cultural standards. The Federal Government remains steadfast in ensuring that international agreements align with the nation’s laws and values.

Source: Channels TV

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