The former Zamfara State Governor and current Senator, Sani Yerima, whose marriage to a 13-year-old girl drew widespread outrage in 2009, literally pressed the Senate to reverse a vote that appeared to outlaw underage marriage, almost marring a crucial constitution amendment vote Tuesday.
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The Senate constitution review committee had recommended alteration of section 29 of the constitution that deals with the manner of renunciation of citizenship.
The constitution states that full age means 18 years and above and the committee proposed a removal of part b of the clause which states that any woman that is married shall be deemed to be of full age.
Senators overwhelmingly backed the recommendation that it be removed, leaving the prospect of final passage if accepted by the House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly.
However, Mr. Yerima questioned why the section dealing with age of a married woman was deleted, describing the move as un-Islamic.
He demanded a revisit, a call that was turned down by Senate president, David Mark.
Mr. Mark ruled that as a member of the constitution review committee, Mr. Yerima had every opportunity to have sought a review and was against the chamber’s rule in seeking an amendment while the votes were on.
Mr. Yerima insisted that under Islamic tenet, a woman is of age once married and countering that order as already stated in the constitution would be discriminatory and in violation of another section of the constitution directing the National Assembly to steer away from Islamic marriage.
“The constitution says the National Assembly shall legislate on marriage except those under Islamic rites,” said the former governor whose marriage to the teenager triggered months of controversy. “Islam says once a woman is married, she is of age.”
Mr. Mark however conceded to a second vote after other proposed amendments had been concluded, saying he had to act due to the “sensitivity” of the matter as it concerns religion.
Still, Mr. Yerima’s demand was again thrashed 60 to 35 at a repeat vote but the section could not be deleted as constitution amendments require two thirds of the entire members-73 for the Senate- for a proposal to pass. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Yerima again with the issue of under age marriage! Wont this man hide his face in shame.
ReplyDeleteGO to kuramo beach and see wat 12yr oil girls are doing i mean ur sisters. I beliv dats wat u want. U prefer dem 2 prostitute dan 2 be Legally married.Am sure to u dat is not child abuse
ReplyDeleteThey have poor mentality ,perception about life generally...even the present governor of Zamfara that followed Jonathan to China only went there to mark register,he can't transform his experience to developing the state..teachers salaries and allowances were being cut without justifications,no development despite the monthly allocations.
ReplyDeleteAll in the name of religion.
What does he mean that when a woman is married, she is of age? Is he saying that even if the girl is 7years old and is married by some crazy person like him, she is of age? God forbid. Nigeria is not an Islamic country. Why should we listen to his depraved request. He is a child rapist and should be stoned to death. There are women his age. Why doesn't he marry them?
ReplyDeleteThis Yerima or whatever he called himself need a psychiatric treatment. Can d bastard give his 13yrs old girl for marriage?. Shameless gorilla.
ReplyDelete