Recent reports regarding the stance of Rabiu Takai, a lawmaker representing the Takai/Sumaila federal constituency of Kano at the House of Representatives, on the Samoa Agreement have been refuted.
In a press release shared with the media on Sunday, Takai, who hails from Kano State, clarified that the reports were misleading. He emphasized his commitment to the cultural and religious values, as well as social activities, of his communities in the Takai and Sumaila areas of Kano.
The Samoa Agreement is a collaboration between member countries of the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU). It aims to establish a comprehensive framework for relations between the African, Caribbean, and Pacific states (ACP) and the EU.
This partnership is a follow-up to the Cotonou Agreement signed in 2000 and is a significant platform for cooperation between the EU and developing countries.
Takai, troubled by the alleged criticism of his position on the agreement, encouraged Nigeria to assess the agreement’s benefits. He stressed the importance of thoroughly reviewing the agreement’s provisions before making conclusions and urged Nigerians to ignore the false accusations leveled against him by a newspaper.
“Any decision regarding the Samoa Agreement will prioritize the best interests of our people while upholding our principles and beliefs. I completely reject the allegations made by the online newspaper. As a representative of the people of Kano, I am dedicated to preserving our religious and cultural values,” Takai stated.
On 15th November 2023, the European Union and its member states signed a new membership agreement in Apia, Samoa Island, with the members of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific regions. This agreement will serve as a general framework for their relationship over the next twenty years.