NIGERIAN SENATE ADOPTS EX-ZAMFARA STATE GOVERNOR'S "UNDERAGE MARRIAGE" VOTE

Former Zamfara governor, Sani Ahmed Yerima, who is now a senator, once married a 13-year old Egyptian girl.(pictured)

The Senate reversed its vote to remove from the constitution a clause allowing a girl to be considered “of age” once married, after former Zamfara State governor, Ahmed Yerima, who once married a 13 year old, argued that the move was against Islam.

The stipulation in Section 29 of the Constitution was seen by majority of the lawmakers as a protection for underage marriages, and the Senate’s constitution review committee suggested that it be erased.

As stated in the constitution, the controversial section however sets out to define an acceptable age for a Nigerian wishing to renounce his or her citizenship.

The law says such a person must be at least 18 years, or if married, be considered of age. The Senate committee proposed the second part be deleted.

Indeed, lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the move on Tuesday during the Senate’s vote on 32 amended clauses.

But while voting progressed, Yerima drew the attention of the Senate to the section and asked that it be restored through a second vote.

“Islam says once a woman is married, she is of age,” argued Yerima, whose marriage to an under-age girl sparked commendation in 2011.

Senate President David Mark rejected the call.

The brief exchange almost overshadowed the Senate’s extensive vote that covered several key areas of the constitution.

Former governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, also a senator, who supported Yerima’s call, counseled his colleagues that the change will “make no difference”.

Mark said as a member of the constitution review committee, Yerima should have called for the alteration at the committee level.

The Senate president however agreed to another vote, saying he acted since the matter was sensitive as it has to do with religion.

On a second call, Yerima’s lost 60 to 35. However, the winning number was less than the stipulated two thirds -73 for the Senate- required to pass a proposal.

culled from telegraphng.com