The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), says no provision in the Samoa agreement is compelling Nigeria to recognise Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) rights.
NBA in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr Habeeb Lawal, Maikyau cautioned against negative narratives arising from misinformation over the agreement.
He added that the agreement was expressly made subject to the local laws and the sovereignty of the contracting nations for instance, Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2023 among others.
He said: “My attention was drawn to publications in newspapers and social media platforms, to reactions by some Nigerians, to the signing of the Samoa agreement by the federal government.
“Contrary to the narrative being propagated either due to ignorance of the content of the agreement or a deliberate intention to mislead the public, I wish to state:
“That there is no provision in the Samoa agreement which requires Nigeria to accept or in any way recognise LGBTQ or gay rights, either as a pre condition for a loan of $150 billion or at all.
“Instead, the agreement was expressly made subject to the local laws, and the sovereignty of the contracting nations.
“That is to say, the Samoa recognises for instance, Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2023, and of course, the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“If this were not the case, the NBA would have since advised the Federal Government not to enter or engage in any form of partnership or agreement that has the ability to undermine the sovereignty of our nation in any way
“For avoidance of any doubts, the Samoa agreement does not in any way, seek to compromise our existing legislations, nor undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria.
“The negative narratives on this agreement are being pushed and propagated along very sensitive lines of our faith, culture and morality, thus, the need for caution and proper education”.
