Legal practitioner Inibehe Effiong has criticized assertions that the Samao Agreement is unrelated to LGBTQ issues, labeling such claims as “intellectual duplicity.” Effiong made these remarks during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday.
He pointed out that Article 15 of the agreement explicitly prohibits discrimination or violence based on gender, political orientation, and sexual orientation, which he argued indirectly includes protections for LGBTQ individuals.
Effiong emphasized, “Under Section 12 of the amended 1999 Constitution, no treaty between Nigeria and any other country holds the force of law unless enacted by the National Assembly. However, Nigeria, as a responsible member of the international community, is expected to adhere to international treaties and agreements to the extent that they have binding implications.”
Referring specifically to the Samao Agreement, Effiong challenged the federal government’s dismissal of its relevance to LGBTQ rights. He contended, “If you examine Article 15 of the agreement, it explicitly prohibits discrimination or violence based on gender, political orientation, and sexual orientation, which encompasses LGBTQ rights.”
He concluded by questioning the stance that the Samao Agreement excludes LGBTQ considerations, suggesting instead that the focus should be on whether Nigeria’s commitments under the agreement supersede existing laws prohibiting same-sex marriage.