SAMOA: Withdraw Agreement, Apologise, Hon. Kumo Tells FG
By Chuwang Dungs
Usman Kumo, member representing Akko federal constituency from Gombe State, Tuesday, supported the motion calling for the suspension of the Samoa agreement.
His support came after a member of the House, Aliyu Madaki moved a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by 88 members.
In the motion the House of Representatives asked the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the Samoa Agreement until all controversial clauses are addressed and spelt out.
In moving the motion Madaki drew attention to the clause which highlights “gender equality” and describes it as a Trojan horse which could violate the morals of the country.
The House also mandated its relevant committees to investigate the controversial provisions of the agreement.
According to Madaki, in his lead debate, the agreement purportedly promotes LGBT rights, which are against extant laws in the country.
He said that the implementation of the agreement is a supremacy Clause, and thus violates Nigeria’s sovereignty.
He said some other articles, especially articles 2 5, 29.5, 36 2, and 88 in the Samoa Agreement that was signed by the Federal Government may be inimical to the interest of Nigeria as a country and the values of the Nigeria people as a whole more, so it does not contain a reservation clause.
He also explained that Article 2.5 states that parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all countries.
“The phrase gender equality as reported is a Trojan horse for deceptively bringing in all sort of immorality to our country, as gender no longer means two sexes male and female as traditionally understood, it now includes homosexualism, lesbianism, transgenderism and animalism.
“The signing of such an agreement with the aforementioned clauses, if true, violates our sovereignty and is a clear contravention of section 7 of the 1999 constitution as amended. The Federal Government may have signed the agreement without exhaustive consultations and consideration for possible long-term consequences.
In his contribution Kumo noted that.
“In a world where it’s components proclaimed black inferiority, in a world where despite to the contrary but insists that black Africa is synonymous to poverty, misery and other social evils, it is from this world that every right-thinking Nigerian should vehemently resist and reject anything that will bring about interfering and working against our religious and moral values.
“I will be very glad and happy that what the executives are saying to make it true, if it is true we are okay, if it is not, we are calling on everybody involved that this agreement should not only be withdrawn but apology should be given to the entire Nigerians.” He said.
Controversy has continued to trail the Samoa Agreement signed by the Federal Government with the European Union, with many challenging what they described as “recognition” of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights by the Nigerian government.
At a press conference on Saturday, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; alongside his counterpart in the Ministry of Information, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria won’t enter into an agreement that was antithetical to the constitution as well as the religious and cultural sensibilities of the heterogeneous people of Nigeria.
Bagudu said Nigeria signed the agreement to boost food security, and inclusive economic development, amongst other vital areas.
