Samoa Agreement: MPs call on the German government to suspend implementation

The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to suspend the implementation of the Samoa Agreement.

The reason for this was a motion supported by 88 members, which referred to controversial clauses in the agreement.

MP Aliyu Madaki on Tuesday drew the government’s attention to the clause underlining gender equality, saying it could be a ploy to undermine the country’s morale.

As a reminder, Nigeria signed the Samoa Agreement with the European Union on June 28, a move that sparked widespread public criticism as concerns were raised about the country’s acceptance of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage.

Many also see the Samoa agreement as a counter-position to the law against same-sex and homosexual relations that former President Goodluck Jonathan signed in 2014.

However, Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, had reiterated at a press conference on Saturday that Nigeria would not enter into any agreement that directly contradicts the constitution, religious and cultural
Taste of the Nigerian people.

According to him, Nigeria joined the agreement to strengthen food security and inclusive economic development.