In Nigeria: Senate rejects bill on gender parity

Senate leader, Ali Ndume asked that Nigerians should perform one marriage rights.

Senate leader Ali Ndume, on Tuesday March 15 said that Nigerians should stick to either traditional, christian or Muslim marriage. 


While making contributions to a bill on gender quality, Ndume said the bill is most important especially when there is clear conflict dealing with widows, inheritance, divorce, even marriage. 

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He said when Nigerians get married in both the traditional culture and religious culture, there is usually a conflict of beliefs that has to be faced by the couples. 

“There are various traditions. The problem we have is the combination of our traditions and new religious beliefs.

“In African content new is in the sense of Christianity. You will find an Igbo man who cannot speak Igbo language because he studied abroad, he will do traditional marriage then go to church again to get married in the church. 

“The church wedding says if you marry, the couple become one while the igbo tradition says when you marry a wife, she becomes your property, so when issues come up after the marriage, you now wonder which one to take,” he said. 

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He added that on the issue of inheritance and divorce, Islam makes it very clear how it should be handled but if you combine that with your tradition, you find out that women are being discriminated in a disadvantageous manner. 

Ndume said that there is a need for women involved in this advocavy to also engage in enlightment. 

However, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti south senatorial district and the deputy minority whip said that women should have equal rights in marriages.

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While urging the lawmakers to pass the bill, she said tha descrimnation amongst women in educatiion, employment, and against any person and any ground whatsoever should be eliminated. 

Some other lawmakers like Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy senate president, Senator Ibn Na’allah representing Kebbi south senatorial district, Ibrahim Gobir representing Sokoto east senatorial district pledged their support for the passage of the bill. 

When Bukola Saraki, the Senate President raised the question, there was a loud nay from the lawmakers on whether the bill should be passed for second hearing. 

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This bill is titled a bill for an act to incorporates= and enforce certain provisions of the United National Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the protocol of the African Charter on Human and people’s rights on the rights of women in Africa, and other connected matters therewith 2016. 

The bill seeks to deplete all forms of violence against women including sexual abuse and discrimination and was first read on October 20 2015.

In the seventh assembly, a similar bill sponsored by Chris Anyawu representing Imo east senatorial district was also rejected.