Samoa Agreement Recognises Nigeria’s Same-Sex Prohibitions – Nigerian Bar Association Clarifies
Amid the recent controversy over the Samoa agreement, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has clarified that Nigeria does not recognise same-sex marriage.
The NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, in a statement, emphasised that the agreement does not impose LGBTQ rights as a prerequisite for Nigeria’s acceptance of a $150billion loan.
He pointed out that the agreement respects Nigeria’s local laws and sovereignty, including the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2023 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
According to the NBA President, if the agreement had mandated acceptance of LGBT rights, they would have advised against such terms to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
He reiterated that the Samoa agreement did not compromise existing legislations or undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Instead, the agreement was expressly made subject to the local laws and the sovereignty of the contracting Nations.
“That is to say, the samoa agreement 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, 1999 (as amended),” Maikyau said.
Prior to signing the agreement, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning had sought the NBA’s review, leading to the constitution of a committee chaired by Mr. Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), to evaluate and advise on the agreement.
The samoa agreement, named after Samoa where it was signed, establishes a legal framework between the European Union (EU) member states and over half of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) members.
It covers areas such as democracy, human rights, economic growth, climate change, social development, peace, security, and migration.
The NBA called for continued public enlightenment to counteract negative perceptions surrounding the agreement, urging government and stakeholders to join in the effort