Samoa agreement signed in Nigeria’s interest – FG

The federal government has said the signing of the Samoa agreement was done in the country’s interest.

The agreement reportedly has some clauses that compel underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community for recognition, as a condition for getting financial and other support from advanced societies.

Named after the Pacific Island Samoa, where it was signed, the agreement is gradually gaining traction, despite opposition by many countries that cherish Islamic and Christianity values, in addition to the sensitivity of their cultures.

The issue has generated controversy, with some clerics and human rights activists, criticising the government over the agreement.

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But in a statement on Thursday, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, gave further clarity to issues on the agreement.

The minister said: “Nigeria signed the Agreement on Friday 28 June 2024. This was done after 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 the 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 the 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 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.

“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.”

More knocks for Tinubu’s govt

Meanwhile, Nigerians have criticised the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over the agreement.

Writing from Abuja, Mallam Abdulkarim Muhammad Abdullahi, said: “To hell with the American Pentagon-funded conspiratorial CIA-FBI treacherous anti-muslim monetised homosexual cult project!

“We as true believers in Islam, Allah’s ordained and divine faith, cannot be compromised because we are worshippers of Allah Ubangji SWT alone, like all our Prophets and nobody is a greater role model than All our Prophets in the Holy Qur’an!

“This is the end of the road for the implementation of the controversial Satanic American Pentagon-instigated Samoa Deal.

“To hell with America and those who believe in promoting their LGBTQ experimental lifestyles fan zone therapy here in Nigeria.”

On X, formerly Twitter, Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar, writing via @jrnaib2, said: “To my fellow Muslims, those who were deceived to vote for the Muslim-Muslim Ticket thinking that Tinubu & Shettima will emulate Islamic style of leadership, look at where we’re today!

“We will now sit back, fingers crossed, and watch whether the clerics that promoted Muslim Muslim Ticket will come out and condemn Tinubu or not. Elections have consequences!”

@philipmuyiwa_A said: “This government has been so controversial. It’s shameful.”

@MA_Iliasu wrote: “Bola Tinubu, Abubakar Bagudu and Yusuf Takai have questions to answer. What the actual hell is wrong with this nauseating government? One disaster after the other, not one good thing that can trigger a sigh of relief.”

@AbdullahiAmiga: “I don’t know what a Samoa deal is, but hearing LGBT in a country governed by “Muslim-Muslim” is dishonourable, disgraceful and shameful.”

@KenWiwa4: “A government that is driven by lust for money will accede to any evil to get money. The government knows that there are articles in this agreement that promote LGBTQ but has considered cash more than values or principles. Goes to show the very unprincipled leaders in power.”

On Facebook, Abubakar Isah Bichi said: “Stop this madness, our leaders! We’ll never let you sell out our values and culture. If you proceed, we’ll demand a coup or even a revolution. We won’t stand by and watch our heritage be destroyed by this agreement. Listen to our voices and put Nigeria first.”

Emmanuel Enoffman wrote: “I knew long ago that the way our leaders love to borrow money from super-rich nations they will one day use it against us to promote their evil deeds.”

Reuben Gojeh: “And this is the only thing that the so-called law wants to copy from developed nations? Are we not supposed to have our differences no matter what? We are Africans, known for norms, culture, traditions, sanity, and above all people who are worshipers.”

Ibrahim Musa: “I think it’s time, we Nigeria should take action against this government, we have to copy KENYA.”

Hassan Yahaya: “I thought such sensitive agreements and decisions that affect our religious and cultural lives are supposed to be dialogue before being signed. With this singular act, it shows the government is only interested in money and what the West wants just to please the international community at the expense of its citizens.”

On Instagram, @lawal_dalhat_ simply asked: “What kind of mindset do our leaders have?”

@shaggyg9: “Wallahi we can’t find it right until we visit the grave and may Almighty Allah have mercy upon Us aamin ya Rabbi”