The Nigerian government has strongly condemned what it deems to be irresponsible and unfounded claims made about the SAMOA Agreement it signed with the European Union. According to Vanguard News, the government has specifically taken issue with a media report that alleged the agreement was made in order to promote LGBTQ rights, which the government has dismissed as sensational and inaccurate.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation singled out a particular national newspaper for pushing these false narratives. The government has stated that it will pursue legal action against any media organizations that publish misleading stories that could threaten national security and stability.
While the government affirmed its commitment to maintaining an open and cooperative relationship with the media, as well as protecting citizens' right to free expression, it made clear that it will not tolerate the spread of fake news and disinformation that could disrupt the country's peace.
To provide more clarity, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning explained that the SAMOA Agreement is an important legal framework that facilitates cooperation between the OACPS and EU for the purposes of advancing sustainable development, combating climate change, generating investment opportunities, and fostering collaboration among OACPS member states.
The government also highlighted the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the OACPS, which has yielded significant development aid and project support in Nigeria over the past two decades. The Samoa Agreement is seen as a valuable instrument for continuing this development cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.