The House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to halt the Samoa Agreement’s implementation until its contentious clauses are clarified. This motion, backed by 88 members, arose due to significant backlash following Nigeria’s signing of the international treaty.
Aliyu Madaki, a House member, highlighted concerns about a clause promoting “gender equality,” describing it as a potential threat to national morals.
The House has tasked its committees with probing the agreement’s controversial aspects.
The Samoa Agreement, signed with the European Union, has sparked controversy, with critics believing it recognizes LGBT rights, contrary to Nigerian law. However, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asserted that Nigeria does not recognize same-sex marriage. NBA President Yakubu Maikyau clarified that the agreement does not mandate LGBTQ rights as a condition for a $150 billion loan and respects Nigeria’s laws, including the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2023 and the amended 1999 Constitution.
Maikyau emphasized that the agreement does not undermine Nigeria’s legislation or sovereignty.
