Deliberate misinformation on Samoa agreement treasonable – Okupe

A former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, has said the deliberate misinformation on the Samoa agreement signed by the Federal Government is treasonable.

PUNCH Online reports that Nigeria recently signed an international agreement, the Samoa Agreement, at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium.

Named after the Pacific Island Samoa, where it was signed, the agreement is gradually gaining traction, despite opposition by many countries that cherish Islamic and Christian values, in addition to the sensitivity of their cultures.

Daily Trust had reported that the agreement has some clauses that compel underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community for recognition, as a condition for getting financial and other support from advanced societies.

Reacting to the report in a post via his X handle on Saturday, Okupe said the deliberate misinformation was aimed at discrediting the Nigerian government and damaging the reputation of President Bola Tinubu.

He said the purpose of the misinformation was to cause serious disaffection within some parts of the country, which could cause major violence and civil unrest in the country.

Okupe added that the act, which is evil and unpatriotic, should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians, including leaders of the opposition parties.

He wrote, “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 to cause major conflagration and civil unrest in the country.

“It should be seriously condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians, including even leaders of the opposition who are hoping that someday they will also be in power. 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. I must commend the Premium Times for going the extra mile to find the truth and publish same. Nigeria will still survive by God’s Grace. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Recall that the Federal Government has assured Nigerians that President Tinubu will not enter into any international agreement that would be detrimental to the country’s interest.

In a press statement on Thursday, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, stated that the partnership agreement is between the EU and its member states, on one hand, and the members of the OACPS on the other.

Idris said it is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria enacted in 2014.