Reps to FG: Suspend Samoa Agreement Implementation

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the Samoa Agreement over the alleged Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender clause.

This is as the legislative chamber directed its Committee on National Planning to investigate the agreement within four weeks and report back for further legislative action.

The House resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance brought on the floor of the green chamber by the Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki, and 87 others during plenary on Tuesday.

The Samoa Agreement is the overarching legal framework for the European Union’s relations with 79 countries. This includes 48 African, 16 Caribbean, and 15 Pacific countries.

Last week, a national daily in its lead story, alleged that the agreement contained a clause to legalise same-sex relationships in Nigeria.

Reacting, the Federal Government denied the claim, stating that Nigeria has “existing legislation against same-sex relationships.” It also threatened legal action against the media house.