Nigerians React as Tinubu’s Govt Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal
- The minister of budget and economic planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said Nigeria has signed a N150 billion Samoa agreement
- The development has resulted in a lot of knocks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration over allegations of LGBTQ clauses
- Some Islamic clerics, rights activists, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have rejected and condemned the move in its entirety
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy
FCT, Abuja - The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been lambasted for signing the controversial Samoa agreement with condition for supporting the recognition of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community
The minister of budget and economic planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, confirmed the signing at a reception organised by the European Union (EU) in Abuja on Monday, July 1.
Source: Twitter
A report by Daily Trust claims the Samoa agreement has some LGBTQ clauses as a condition for getting financial and other support from advanced societies.
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However, Bagudu’s media assistant, Bolaji Adebiyi, said the documents signed by the federal government were strictly for Nigeria's economic development.
Adebiyi said LGBT or same-sex marriage was not mentioned even remotely in the document.
He explained that Bagudu's signing concerned a $150 billion trade component and that it would be wrong to imply that Nigeria had accepted LGBTQ tendencies.
Also, a fact-check report by Premium Times also indicates that the new Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria does not contain LGBT clauses.
Islamic groups react to Samoa's deal
The administrative secretary of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Abubakar Akande, said the council would not welcome such an agreement.
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Akande said that the NSCIA's stance on same-sex marriage and LGBT marriage remained unchanged.
‘We cannot agree to what is against the injunction of our Creator, Allah, on this matter, and which also disrespects Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
The Ameer (leader), Abuja Muslim Forum (AMF), Abdulrazaq Ajani, said the chairmen of the relevant committees in the house of representatives, and the administrative leadership of the legislators rejected the move completely.
Ajani said the African civil society organisations (CSOs), which the AMF is a part of, had met top government officials and members of the two chambers of the National Assembly on the agreement.
While reacting to the development, Hon. Rabiu Yusuf, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements, said:
“To the best of my knowledge, nothing has happened in the National Assembly regarding the Samoa Agreement.”
Police react to LGBTQ “Of Course” challenge video
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Nigeria Police Force vowed to take necessary action against LGBTQ people seen in the viral video of the ‘Of Course’ challenge.'
The NPF spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the LGBTQ activities and practices are unnatural offences and are totally condemned in Nigeria.
Adejobi said the LGBTQ people seen in the viral video are criminals and will be punished according to the law.
Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng
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