Nigerians Knock Tinubu’s Govt Over Samoa Agreement

Some Nigerians have taken to their verified X handle to berate the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government against the signing of the controversial Samoa agreement.

CityMirrorNews had earlier reported that the agreement, which has some clauses that compel underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community for recognition, as a condition for getting financial and other support from advanced societies, has sparked a chain of reactions.

However, some clerics, rights activists, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have also kicked against the decision of the Federal Government to sign the controversial agreement.

Named after the Pacific Island Samoa, where it was signed, the agreement is gradually gaining traction, despite opposition by many countries that cherish Islamic and Christian values, in addition to the sensitivity of their cultures.

Defending the government’s action in a statement late Thursday, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, said the agreement was done in Nigeria’s interest.

He said Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration clarifying its understanding and context of the Agreement within its jurisdiction to the effect that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid.

“It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria enacted in 2014,” the minister said.

It would be recalled that it was former President Goodluck Jonathan who, in January 2014, signed into law a bill that criminalises same-sex relationships, defying Western pressure over gay rights and provoking United States criticism.

The law contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex ‘amorous relationships’ and membership of gay rights groups.

Meanwhile, below are some comments of Nigerians on the Samoa agreement.

@philipmuyiwa_A said: “This government has been so controversial. It’s shameful.”

@MA_Iliasu wrote: “Bola Tinubu, Abubakar Bagudu and Yusuf Takai have questions to answer. What the actual hell is wrong with this nauseating government? One disaster after the other, not one good thing that can trigger a sigh of relief.”

@AbdullahiAmiga: “I don’t know what a Samoa deal is, but hearing LGBT in a country governed by “Muslim-Muslim” is dishonourable, disgraceful and shameful.”

@jrnaib2, said: “To my fellow Muslims, those who were deceived to vote for the Muslim-Muslim Ticket thinking that Tinubu & Shettima will emulate Islamic style of leadership, look at where we’re today!

“We will now sit back, fingers crossed, and watch whether the clerics that promoted Muslim Muslim Ticket will come out and condemn Tinubu or not. Elections have consequences!”