The Federal Government has vowed to use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law on Daily Trust Newspaper over what it described as “irresponsible reporting” on the accusation of same sex deal.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris who made this known on Saturday said that the media company and its people could decend to the reckless level of attempting to set Nigeria on fire by falsely accusing the Government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ.
On 28 June 2024, Nigeria signed the Samoa Agreement between the EU and members of OACPS in Belgium, to promote sustainable development, fight climate change and its effects, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among Member States at the international stage.
In earlier statement released, the Federal Government who said Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated 26th June, clarified the understanding and context of the Agreement within jurisdiction to effect of any provision that inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid.
While noted that there is an existing legislation against same sex relationship in Nigeria enacted since 2014, stating that the FG found this claim despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed.
The Minister, in his remarks, said, “Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided agreement allegedly signed to prove their point”, adding that this sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for sermons by some of the Nigerian respected imams who were misled by the story thereby raising tempers.
The Minister accused Daily Trust Newspaper that its insidious and inciting publications these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar.
He added, “On many occasions we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option.
“In the aftermath of the coup in Niger Republic, Daily Trust championed a jaundiced narrative that the Federal Government was driving the country into a war and twisted it with regional sentiment to cause disaffection.
“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. In all those instances all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant”, Idris said.
The Minister reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stand on an open arm relationship with the media which is in line with the philosophy of the President as an avowed democrat who spent lifetime fighting for the entrenchment of democracy and human rights.
Idris added that this administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression but it’s disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government.
While restated Federal Government friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech, but reiterated that the FG would not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of the country and it’s national security lightly.