On Thursday, July 5, 2024, the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government, came under heavy attack from Nigerians.

Basically, the dragging started after reports that the Tinubu-led government has signed the Samoa agreement surfaced.

When President Bola Tinubu ignored the cry for a new minimum wage, but was quick to sign a bill reverting the country back to the old national anthem, Nigerians had tried in vain to fathom the idea behind such move.

However, with the signing of the Samoa agreement, many Nigerians say they are more convinced than ever that this government has nothing to offer.

The Samoa Agreement

As we speak, the call for a mass protest has flooded the internet.

The heat is so high, and the government has decided to speak.

The federal government has clarified that it signed the Samoa agreement in the best interest of the country.

The government added that the agreement was signed after extensive reviews and consultations by an Inter-ministerial Committee.

That committee was convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ).

Also, it is targeted towards generating investment opportunities, and fostering collaboration among Nigeria and other nations.

LGBTQ

It was the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke on behalf of the government.

He spoke on Thursday via a statement following the controversy and backlash generated by the news of the signing.

There were concerns that the agreement endorsed LGBTQ rights in Nigeria.

Idris, however, explained that the signed agreement does not contravene any law in Nigeria.

He noted that the government has not in any way endorsed LGBTQ rights, which are illegal in the country by signing the agreement.

The Minister submitted that Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated June 26, 2024, clarifying that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian laws shall be invalid.

Statement Of Declaration

“In addition, Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated June 26, 2024, clarifying that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian laws shall be invalid.

“It is important to note that there is existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria, enacted in 2014,” Idris stated.

Also Read: LGBTQ: Police Vow To Arrest Nigerians Publicly Revealing Sexuality In Viral Video

He assured Nigerians that the government of President Tinubu would not enter into any international agreement detrimental to the country’s interests.

To him, officials involved in the negotiations strictly adhered to the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).

#TinubuMustGo

“The Samoa Agreement is a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, aimed at promoting sustainable development, combating climate change, generating investment opportunities, and fostering collaboration among OACPS Member States on the international stage,” Idris added.

Despite this clarification, #EndAPCNow, #TinubuMustGo, #LGBTQ, and numerous others have stayed top of the trends, this is as Nigerians air their displeasure over what they described as the failure of the Tinubu government.