Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not engage in any international agreements that could harm the nation’s interests.
This assurance comes in light of Nigeria’s recent signing of the Samoa Agreement at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium.
Addressing concerns raised by about the agreement potentially compelling developing nations to support LGBT rights as a condition for receiving financial and other support from advanced societies, Minister Idris clarified the government’s position.
He stated, “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.”
The Samoa Agreement, named after the Pacific Island where it was signed, is a partnership between the EU and its member states and the members of the OACPS.
Despite opposition from many countries with strong Islamic and Christian values, the agreement is gaining traction.
Idris emphasized, “It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against the 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.”
Negotiations for the agreement began in 2018 during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly and culminated in its signing in Apia, Samoa, on November 15, 2018, by all 27 EU member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS member states.
The Minister explained, “The agreement has 103 articles comprising a common foundational compact and three regional protocols, namely: Africa–EU; Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols with each regional protocol addressing the peculiar issues of the regions.”
He further detailed that the African Regional Protocol includes frameworks for cooperation and areas covering sustainable economic growth, human and social development, environmental management, peace and security, human rights, and migration.
“Nigeria signed the Agreement on Friday, June 28, 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 the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ). It was ensured that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravened the 1999 Constitution as amended or the laws of Nigeria and other extant Laws,” he said.
Idris concluded, “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.”
