The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the controversial Samoa Agreement, pending the outcome of an investigation into the pact. This decision was made following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon Aliyu Madaki, and supported by 88 other lawmakers.
Galaxy TV sent in the details of the motion and other activities of the green chamber. The Samoa Agreement, signed recently by the government, has been met with widespread criticism and outrage from many Nigerians. Hon Madaki in his motion, argued that the agreement contains clauses that promote LGBT rights, which are in conflict with existing laws in the country. During the debate on the motion, opinions were divided among lawmakers, with some supporting the motion while others opposed it.
Lawmakers therefore urged the federal government to put the implementation of the Samoa Agreement on hold until a thorough investigation has been conducted and the concerns of Nigerians have been addressed. A bill aimed at amending the 1999 Constitution to reserve seats for women in the Federal and State Legislative Houses has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed amendments sought to Alter Sections 48 and 49 to reserve one special seat exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state and the Federal Capital Territory, effective after the current National Assembly term and subject to review every 16 years and also Alter Section 91 to reserve three special seats exclusively for women in each State’s House of Assembly, distributed across the three senatorial districts of each state among others
The bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu and 12 other lawmakers, seeks to boost women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislative bodies, promoting gender equality and diversity in governance. Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Hon Joshua Gana emphasized that ‘the amendment is not just about fairness, but about unlocking the nation’s full potential by tapping into the diverse perspectives and talents of all Nigerians, regardless of gender. The House also mandated it’s committees on Petroleum Resources Downstream and Midstream to carry out a legislative forensic investigation into depletion of fuel stock for domestic consumption.
On Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) the lawmakers asked the commission to withhold allocations from the Federation Account to local government areas in the country that are run by unelected officials. The directive followed a motion of urgent public importance brought to the House by Hon. Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos) and Jonathan Gaza Gbewfi on the need to address the refusal of state government across the country to uphold democratic principles in local government and financial impropriety in local government.
More deliberation will come when the house resume plenary on Wednesday