Nigerians have taken to social media to express their fury following the federal government’s decision to sign the controversial Samoa Agreement.
The agreement reportedly contains 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 receiving financial and other support from advanced societies.
Named after the Pacific Island Samoa, where it was signed on November 15, 2023, the agreement is gradually gaining traction despite opposition from many countries that value Islamic and Christian principles, as well as the sensitivity of their cultures.
News of Nigeria’s ratification of the deal became public on Monday, July 1, when the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, confirmed the development at a reception organized by the European Union (EU) in Abuja.
However, when contacted on Wednesday, Bagudu’s media assistant, Bolaji Adebiyi, clarified that the documents signed by the federal government, which the Minister of Budget referenced during the EU reception, were strictly for Nigeria’s economic development.
Adebiyi emphasised that nowhere in the documents were LGBT or same-sex marriage mentioned, insisting that it would be wrong for anyone to imply that Nigeria had accepted those tendencies.
He stated that Bagudu signed a $150 billion trade component and reiterated that the gender equality requirement in the loan agreement should not be construed as an acceptance of an LGBT clause.
Despite these clarifications, reactions from netizens show that many Nigerians believe the agreement includes an LGBT clause.
Here are some reactions gathered by Tribune Online:
@IAlaetuo tweeted, “Tinubu don agree homosexual ooo… Muslim/Muslim ticket, lol.”
@lecomtephyn wrote, “People campaigned saying Peter Obi’s son is gay, see their president wan legalize am .. lol.”
@Onsogbu clarified, “This headline is very misleading. As stated in the article, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu’s media assistant, Bolaji Adebiyi, clarified that: ‘The article (in the deal) made no mention of LGBT rights.'”
@LovedCarefully tweeted, “Good Move. It’s health for all… I hope people fighting and angry under this tweet don’t expect President Tinubu to be quoting the Bible or Quran when making decisions for the population. Nigeria is NOT a religious state.”
@dipoaina1 suggested, “Whoever signed that agreement should better ‘unsign it’ immediately. We will never accept the Zionist-Jewish mafias monopoly in Nigeria’s Never.”
@uche1056387 alleged, “So Muslim Muslim ticket president and VP are signing LGBQT deal now? Like they are agreeing to the USA deal just to borrow money and allow LGBT to thrive?”
@DNwofia wrote, “The Western world has the criminal files of the man in Aso Rock parading himself as Nigeria president, which is why he can sign anything to cover himself for the time being. LGBT legalization has been brought to Nigeria through the back door.”
@AlliOlabisi5 tweeted, “From the article, the deal has a clause that says LGBT rights must be protected. So homosexuality is now an open thing supported by the government now? So much for morality and African culture.”
@ChiduObodo alleged, “Let it be noted in Nigerian history books that it’s a Muslim Muslim presidency that consciously or unconsciously legalized perverts in Nigeria.”
@ibemere_obinna wrote, “Muslim Muslim ticket running the country, everywhere is quiet. Let it be GEJ that tried this, nationwide protests would have erupted. Finally, Na hypocrisy go kee Nigerians.”
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