By Ishaya Ibrahim
Nigerians have kicked over an alleged deal signed in Samoa that promises financial aid to the struggling federal government of Nigeria in exchange for the promotion of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer rights.
Recall that Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, confirmed that Nigeria had signed the controversial Samoa Agreement at a reception organised by the European Union (EU) in Abuja on July 1.
The agreement, which was reached at the Pacific Island Samoa on November 15, 2023, has continued to gain ground, especially across countries highly dependent on financial aid.
Article 2.5 of the agreement, which is the controversial clause, mandated beneficiaries of the deal decriminalize LGBTQ.
But speaking on the controversy surrounding the deal, Bagudu’s media assistant, Bolaji Adebiyi, attempted to water down the section on LGBTQ.
He said, ”The article does not represent the content of the Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria. The Articles 2.5 and 29.5 cited made no mention of LGBT rights but rather 29.5 guarantees ‘support [for] universal access to sexual and reproductive health commodities and health care services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.
“Article 2.5 states that: ‘The parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies.”
He continued, “I fail to see how these articles imply the protection of LGBT rights. Please, note that this is a negotiated agreement among the 27 EU countries and 79 OACPS, which is subject to domestic laws. All 27 EU countries and 74 of the 79 OACPS have signed. Nigeria was the 73rd to sign last Friday, 28th June, in Brussels,” Adebiyi stated.
Om X, Nigerians rejected the deal.
@ukatcher said: “Under a Muslim Muslim administration we read in the news that Nigeria has signed an agreement on the rights of LGBTQ in Nigeria. BAT administration is a mistake and we are all responsible for this.”
@jrnaib2 said: “This attempt to legalize LGBTQ in Nigeria is enough reason to defeat APC come 2027, but only if the opposition decides to do the needful.”
@Waspapping_ said: “We will now sit back, fingers crossed, and watch whether the clerics who promoted the Muslim-Muslim ticket will come out and condemn Tinubu for attempting to legalize LGBTQ in Nigeria.”
@EngrKibiya said: “It is deeply concerning that Nigeria has signed an LGBT agreement without the knowledge or consent of its citizens. This decision, made behind closed doors, undermines our democratic process and disregards the values held by many Nigerians. The agreement’s implications are vast, touching on sensitive issues such as the legalization of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuality, Transgenderism, abortion, and teen sexual abuse.”