By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
THE NIGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) has firmly addressed misinformation circulating about the SAMOA Agreement, asserting that the agreement does not compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty or mandate the recognition of LGBTQ rights.
On July 8, 2024, NBA President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau issued a detailed statement, responding to concerns raised by the public and the media.
Maikayau emphasized that the SAMOA agreement, a legal framework involving the European Union (EU)and the Organisation of African (OOA), Caribbean, and Pacific States, does not require Nigeria to endorse or recognize LGBTQ rights as a condition for any financial aid or loans.
He also explained that the agreement respects Nigeria’s local laws, including the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2023 and the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution.
He reassured that the NBA had thoroughly vetted the agreement and would not support any provisions undermining the nation’s sovereignty or existing legislations.
The NBA President also criticized the spread of false information, urging the public to verify facts and rely on credible sources, citing German historian August Ludwig von Schlözer, and emphasizing the importance of discerning truth in media reports.
Maikyau called on the government and stakeholders to continue enlightening the public to counter the negative perceptions being promoted.
He also affirmed that the NBA remains committed to ensuring that government actions are people-focused and do not compromise the country’s integrity, saying that the association will continue to provide guidance and hold the government accountable on behalf of the Nigerian people.
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