The House of Representatives on Tuesday told the federal government to suspend the implementation of the controversial Samoa Agreement pending the conclusion of an investigation into the matter.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki, and 88 others, at Tuesday’s plenary, calling attention to some allegedly offensive clauses in the agreement.
Named after the Pacific Island Samoa, where it was signed on November 15, 2023, the agreement reportedly has some clauses that compel underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community for recognition, as condition for getting financial and other supports from advanced societies.
Madaki, in his lead debate, said the agreement purportedly promotes LGBT rights, which are against extant laws in the country.
The Samoa Agreement is the legal framework for European Union’s relations with 79 countries including 48 African, 16 Caribbean, and 15 Pacific nations.
Last week, Abuja-based Daily Trust broke the news on the agreement. Initially, the the Federal Government denied the claim of the agreement having anything to do with LGBT rights, stating that already, Nigeria has “existing legislation against same-sex relationships.”
On Sunday, the Federal Government vowed to file a lawsuit against the Daily Trust newspaper over its report, restating that there is no clause in the agreement compelling underdeveloped and developing nations to recognise the rights of LGBTQ community as condition for getting financial and other support.