MPs have not asked the federal government to suspend implementation, says spokesman

The House of Representatives has rejected reports that it has called on the federal government to suspend implementation of the Samoa Partnership Agreement.

The clarification was made on Wednesday by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi.

Rotimi, who represents Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency in Ekiti State, said contrary to media reports, parliamentarians had decided to investigate the controversial clauses in the agreement to ensure that they do not contravene the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The All Progressives Congress MP pointed out that the House of Representatives had called on the government to conduct extensive consultations and stakeholder engagement on the agreement.

He said: “During the debate, concerns were raised about alleged clauses requiring support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as a precondition for financial and other assistance from developed countries.

“In addition, concerns have been raised about several specific articles of the agreement, including articles 2.5, 29.5, 36.2 and 88, which some lawmakers believe may be inconsistent with Nigeria’s national interests and values, particularly given the absence of a reservation clause.

“Member of Parliament Aliyu Sani Madaki had argued that Article 97 of the Agreement, which asserts the primacy of the Agreement over any conflicting treaty involving member states of the European Union or the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, potentially violates Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“In response, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), clarified that contrary to public speculation, the agreement in its official form does not contain any provisions for a $150 billion fund nor any clauses to promote LGBT rights in Nigeria.

“House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) stressed the importance of parliamentary oversight and underlined the need for transparency in contract negotiations, citing Section 12 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), which requires parliamentary involvement in such matters.”

He continued: “It is important to clarify that the House of Representatives has neither decided to suspend the agreement nor to suspend its implementation, as some media houses have falsely reported.

“Instead, the House of Representatives decided to hold hearings to thoroughly examine the partnership agreement with Samoa for all controversial provisions.

“In addition, the House of Representatives has instructed its Committees on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements, Justice, and National Planning and Economic Development to work with relevant stakeholders to resolve any ambiguities in the agreement. The committees are to report to Parliament within four weeks.

“Reaffirming its commitment to shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy in line with national interests, Parliament stresses in its Legislative Agenda 7 (Influencing and Directing Nigeria’s Foreign Policy) the need to align constitutional requirements with the Treaty Ratification Act to ensure consistency and transparency.”

The Samoa Agreement, signed on 15 November 2023, creates a new legal framework for the European Union’s relations with 79 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, including 48 African, 16 Caribbean and 15 Pacific states.

A recent report by a national newspaper (not The PUNCH) claimed that the Samoa Accord contained a clause that would legalise lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer relationships in Nigeria, a condition that the government allegedly accepted in exchange for a US$150 billion loan.

This claim was, however, vehemently refuted by Information Minister Mohammed Idris and Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Bagudu during a press conference in Abuja on Saturday.

Idris announced that he would take legal action against the newspaper and threatened to file a lawsuit and also lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.