President Bola Tinubu was not removed as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the signing of the Samoa agreement.
Several reports on social media said Tinubu was removed due to the signing of the controversial Samoa agreement.
Arewa Twitter, a prominent handle on X, claimed that Tinubu was asked to step down because of the agreement the Nigerian government signed.
“Samoa LGBTQ agreement comes with consequences. It’s an insult to ECOWAS and that deal this old man signed was not in line with the terms of ECOWAS. So they asked him to step aside. This man keeps on disgracing Nigeria and Nigerians,” the post reads.
Another account, @Ezekiel90978219 also posted the same tweet.
Contrary to the report, the Nigerian president’s first tenure as the chairman of the regional bloc ended on July 7 as the ECOWAS chairmanship is a one-year term.
On the same day, Tinubu was re- elected for another one-year term during the 65th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held at the presidential villa in Abuja.
WHAT IS THE SAMOA AGREEMENT
The Samoa Agreement is the overarching framework for European Union (EU) relations with African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.
The agreement serves as a new legal framework for EU relations with 79 countries, including African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.
Through the Samoa deal, the EU said it will invest at least €150 billion in Africa by 2027 through the “Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package.
The agreement covers six priority areas, which are democracy and human rights; sustainable economic growth and development; climate change; human and social development; peace and security; and migration and mobility.
On July 4, a report claimed that some clauses of the agreement allegedly compel underdeveloped and developing nations like Nigeria to support the agitations by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) for recognition.
The development sparked debate online with some Nigerians saying the clauses will promote LGBTQ rights in the country,
Speaking on the issue, Muhammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the agreement was signed with the interest of the country without contravening any of the existing laws.
He said the deal was signed for economic development of the country following extensive reviews and consultations.
