Speaker Bagbin assured Chief Imam of Parliament's reconsideration of Anti-LGBTQ Bill before rising but failed

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin assured the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, that Parliament will revisit and pass the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, before the House goes on recess.

Mr Bagbin gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the National Chief Imam, explaining that the current version of the bill required further review, particularly the provisions relating to sentencing.

He said Parliament intended to complete the reconsideration process before the adjournment sine die on Friday, July 31, 2026, to address concerns raised about three key clauses in the legislation.

“Our intention is to do it before we go on recess. We are likely to do so even by tomorrow so that it assures you that the members you elected to Parliament are doing what you have asked them to do,” the Speaker stated.

According to Mr Bagbin, the review was necessary to ensure that the punishment regime contained in the bill was properly examined before the legislation was brought back to the House for final approval.

He also cautioned against attaching political interpretations to the matter, insisting that support for the bill cuts across religious and social groups.

“There is no politics at all. Anybody who wants to take political advantage, just disregard it. Both Muslims and Christians agree, even the unbelievers know that if we don't pass it, we are acting against the decree of God,” he said.

However, Parliament adjourned sine die, ending the second meeting of the second session of the Ninth Parliament without taking another look at the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2026, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.

A motion seeking to rescind Parliament’s earlier decision on the bill was placed on the Order Paper for Friday, July 31, 2026, but lawmakers could not adopt it before the House rose.