House of Reps reject Samoa agreement, order FG to halt implementation

Following a public outcry, the House of Representatives, in their rejection of the Samoa agreement, asked the Federal Government to suspend implementation until all controversial clauses were spelt out.

The Informant247 gathered that the decision was followed by the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano) and 80 others at the Plenary on Tuesday.

Madaki had drawn attention to the clause highlighting gender equality, saying it is “a Trojan horse” which could violate the morals of the country.

In his contribution, the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), said the parliament was not carried along in the process of signing the agreement, which has generated controversy, wondering why Nigerians were kept in the dark about what the agreement was all about.

Similarly, the House Chief Whip, Rep. Usman Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe), said the House would never support any agreements that are contrary to the beliefs, norms and culture of Nigerians.

The movers of the motion, therefore, urged the House to investigate the agreement thoroughly.

The House adopted the motion and referred it to its relevant committees for further legislative action.