By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government has debunked viral rumours claiming that it signed a $150 billion Samoa Deal that included an LGBTQ clause
The Federal Government which described the rumor which is fast gaining ground as false and the handwork of people bent on spoiling the reputation of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also clarified that the details in the signed Samoa deal were done in the interest of Nigerians.
Earlier on Thursday, reports emerged that the government had allegedly signed an agreement that contained 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 receiving financial and other support from advanced societies.
The rumours emerged after the minister of budget and economic planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, confirmed the development at a European Union (EU) reception in Abuja.
However, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a statement issued on Thursday said the Samoa deal had no LGTBQ clause.
He explained that the deal is 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.
The statement reads in part: “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.
“Negotiations on the agreement started in 2018, on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly. It was signed in Apia, Samoa on the 15th of November 2018 by all 27 EU Member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member states.
“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.
“The African Regional Protocol consists of two parts. The first is the Framework for Cooperation, while the second deals with Areas of Cooperation, containing 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; and Migration and Mobility.
“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), confirmed that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravenes the 1999 Constitution as amended or laws of Nigeria.
“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 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 else, 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.
“It is noteworthy that only five of the 79 OACPS Member States, including Equatorial Guinea (Africa); Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago.
“(Caribbean); Nauru; and Tuvalu (Pacific) are yet to sign the Agreement. All the 27 EU Member States signed on 15th November 2023.”
