The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said that the Samoa agreement signed by the Federal Government recognises Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act.

It debunked the rumour that it contained some clauses that support the LGBTQ campaign.

Following investigation by the NBA, its President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), said in a statement on Tuesday that those behind the rmuours were out to misinform the people and propagate falsehood.

Maikyau urged the Federal Government to do more to educate the people on what its policies, decisions and actions are about so there is no room for misinformation.

The NBA President recalled that prior to the signing of the Samoa agreement, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning requested the NBA to look at the agreement.

Maikyau added: “Consequently, I constituted a committee chaired by Mr. Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State, and Chairman of the NBA Law Reform Committee, to vet, evaluate and advise on the agreement accordingly.

“Contrary to the narrative being propagated either due to ignorance of the content of the agreement or, a deliberate intention to mislead the public (neither of which is good), I wish to state that there is no provision in the Samoa agreement which requires Nigeria to accept or in any way recognize 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 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).

“If this were not the case, the NBA would have since advised the 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 anyway.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, the Samoa agreement does not in any way seek to compromise our existing legislations or 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.

“I, therefore, call on government to continue with the public enlightenment already being undertaken and for other stakeholders to join in doing so, to counter the negative perception being promoted on the agreement.”