…Reps scuttle first move, as ‘the nays have it
A bill seeking to make Sharia law mm not just a personal matter in the constitution has been rejected in the House of Representatives.
The bill seeks to amend sections 24, 262 and 277 of the Constitution by removing “personal” in the application of Sharia law.
The sponsor of the bill, Aliyu Missau, said commercial entities find it difficult to operate, noting that the constitution did not envisage entities like Jaiz and Taj banks
However, many lawmakers interpreted the move as an attempt to broaden the scope of Shariah law, which is often limited to marriage, inheritance and other personal issues.
Bamidele Salam, a lawmaker from Osun State, said the bill should be rejected because it has the potential to derail the freedom enjoyed by all religions in Nigeria.
“We must be careful with any changes to the Constitution that could further widen divisions in Nigeria. In any case, the matters my colleague seeks to address are already covered by existing laws,” he said.
Similarly, Awaji-Inombek Abiante said the bill should be stepped down because of the danger it holds.
On the other side, several northern lawmakers supported the bill, stating that the proposal is harmless.
Saidu Abdullah, Abdullah Ado, Ahmad Satomi and others spoke in support of the bill.
However, the opposition to the bill was fierce.
When it was put to question by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, the “nays” had it.
But, our paper gathered that lawmakers from the country’s northern region, mostly Muslims, are re-strategizing and re-mobilizing towards ensuring that the bill gets through next time it’s presented at the chambers.
Reacting to the development, Nigerians who took to their various social media handles to vent their displeasure vow to resist the bill.
Our correspondent who monitored netizens’ reactions captured as follows:
“Any House of Assembly member who raises a motion for Sharia law in Nig deserves to be banned from politics. This is a secular country. If we truly want to practice Sharia law here, 95% of Nigerian politicians would lose their hands, but the law would only apply to the poor” -Outsiders_Adam
“Ike gwuru. Well we must fight head on, cuz these guys aren’t relenting on thier hidden quest” -Mazi Chi N
“They are working for Saudi Arabia empire, that’s why they don’t want Biafra to go so Biafrans will be conquer by islam” -Milato Milato
“Why are these Muslims wicked at heart? Why should you impose what you have on another person. Far better it if these guys will in d name of law come to impose any Sharia on the eastern Nigeria o. Then they will hear from everyone. Are you the owner of Nigeria.tgis is what British”. -Tocs
…more details later