Following a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by 88 members, the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the Samoa Agreement until all controversial clauses are addressed and clarified.
Presenting the motion on Tuesday, House member Aliyu Madaki pointed out a clause emphasizing “gender equality,” describing it as a Trojan horse that could undermine the country’s morals.
The House also tasked its relevant committees with investigating the controversial provisions of the agreement.
The Samoa Agreement, signed by the Federal Government with the European Union, has sparked controversy, with many concerned that it implies recognition of LGBTQ rights by the Nigerian government. This has led to significant online backlash, particularly against LGBTQ rights, which conflict with the anti-same-sex marriage and gay relationships law enacted in 2014 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
At a press conference on Saturday, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, along with Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, stated that Nigeria would not enter into any agreement that contradicts the constitution or the religious and cultural sensibilities of its diverse population. Bagudu emphasized that Nigeria signed the agreement to enhance food security, inclusive economic development, and other critical areas.
Last November, the European Union, its 27 member states, and 79 member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) signed an agreement in Apia, the capital of Samoa, hence it was named the ‘Samoa Agreement.’ This agreement, which succeeded the Cotonou Agreement, aims to better equip the parties to address emerging needs and global challenges, such as climate change, ocean governance, migration, health, peace, and security.
Nigeria signed the agreement on June 28, 2024, but it only became widely known this week following a disclosure by Bagudu.
A Mix-Up?
In a review of the Samoa Agreement after its signing last November, the European Parliament noted that the initial draft included provisions for LGBT rights. However, it observed that member states “were reluctant to see the foundation agreement mention sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTI rights).”
The parties ultimately reached a compromise, agreeing to commit only to the implementation of existing international agreements on the matter.
As a result, references to LGBT rights were removed from the final agreement and replaced with a focus on “gender equality.” Specifically, Article 2, clause 5 of the final agreement states, “the parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies.”
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