Civil Society Groups Kick Against Planned Signing Of EU-ACP Agreement

Representatives of civil society organisations in Nigeria have expressed displeasure over the planned signing of a new partnership agreement between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states.

The agreement tagged the ‘EU-ACP’ is scheduled to be signed on November 15th, 2023. However, the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, Sonny A. Kosi, raised concerns over provisions in the deal that contradict Nigeria’s values.

Korsi lamented that the adoption of the agreement subtly promotes LGBTQ ideology which is at variance with Nigeria’s philosophical, communal and religious norms. He cited the lack of time given to parliamentarians to thoroughly scrutinize the treaty before the scheduled signing.

“Two weeks ago, we heard they will sign this agreement on 15th November 2023. We wonder what happened to stakeholders and parliamentarians who earlier opposed signing it. LGBT is illegal in Nigeria under the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2014 signed during Jonathan’s administration. Why should we sign a deal promoting LGBT?” Korsi queried.

He urged the Nigerian government, foreign affairs ministry and parliamentarians not to append their signatures to the document. Korsi warned that doing so would be like signing a death warrant for the country.

The human rights activist further raised concerns that the EU wants to impose their views on parenting and early childhood sexuality education on Africans through the deal. He said Nigeria should follow Ghana and Namibia who have rejected signing the agreement.

“As a Nigerian mother, I must not allow what they want to happen, otherwise we will have underpopulation like Europe. Despite challenges, Africa is vibrantly growing. If we allow this ACP-EU pact, we will lose our children,” he warned.

Korsi called on all stakeholders, especially mothers to speak up and prevent the signing of the agreement which could erode Nigeria’s cultural values.