Misinformation On Samoa Agreement Is Treason – Okupe Warns Nigerians

Former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has warned Nigerians that spreading misinformation on the Samoa Agreement signed by the federal government is treason.

Dr. Doyin Okupe, said this on Saturday while reacting to criticisms from citizens and opposition political parties on the Samoa loan agreement.

A $150 billion loan signed by the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu, generated criticism.

Chairman of the Human and Constitutional Rights Committee, African Bar Association (AfBA), Sonnie Ekwowusi, in a statement, alleged that the Samoa Agreement mandates signatory countries to allow LGBT communities to express their choice.

“The Samoa Agreement, named after the Pacific Island, Samoa, where it was signed on November 15, 2023, is a celebration of perversity. Certain Articles of the Agreement, especially Articles 2.5 and 29.5, legalize LGBT, transgenderism, abortion, teen sexual abuse, and perversity in African countries. The signing of the Agreement by Nigeria constitutes a threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria and Africa. It further debases our democracy,” Ekwowusi said.

Despite statements from the federal government that no part of the agreement mandated Nigeria to go against its law on same-sex relationships, many Nigerians have continued to doubt the government.

Okupe, however, said the misinformation being spread on the loan agreement was partly caused by a communication gap between the federal government, President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians.

The former Special Adviser on Media to ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, accused opposition parties of spreading misleading information against President Tinubu to tarnish his image.

“The deliberate misinformation on the Samoa agreement signed by the FG is patently Treasonable. This particular act was obviously aimed at damaging and discrediting the FG, with the intent to cause serious disaffection within some sections of the country.

“And because it touches on the innate and core sensibilities of our society, it has a dangerous potential of causing a major conflagration and civil unrest in the country. It should be seriously condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians including even leaders of opposition who are hoping that someday they will also be in power,” he said.

Doyin Okupe said the politics pushed by the opposition leaders on the Samoa Agreement has been taken too far. He advised opposition parties to withhold further misinformation on the agreement.

“This is not just evil propaganda and unpatriotic, it is politics carried too far!! Bola Tinubu is President today, it will be someone else tomorrow. No matter your grouse against this administration or political ambition or disposition, it is not worth burning this nation for,” he added.