Quotable Quotes (2)

In the past few weeks a controversy has raged over the issue of Child Marriage. That issue brings to the fore the critical question of exactly what Nigeria is or would like to be—a modern secular republic, or an ancient theocracy ruled by pastors and mullahs whose first allegiance is not to the Constitution but to the Bible or Koran.

The Constitution defines “adult” as a person of age 18 and above, and prohibits child marriage. But here we have the interesting case of a Nigerian leader, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, who defied the law and married a child (under-age girl) while he was governor of Jigawa State. Several years later, still unrepentant, he boldly proclaims:

“I do not work with such law that runs counter to my religion. For clarity, I do not have to obey the Child Rights Act so long as it contravenes my religious belief and I’m sick and tired of repeating myself all the time. I hope I can be left alone now. . . . As a Muslim I consider God’s law and that of his prophet above any other law. I consider all those complaining about this issue as detractors. . . . I don’t care about the issue of age since I have not violated any rule as far as Islam is concerned. History tells us that Prophet Muhammad did marry a young girl as well. Therefore I have not contravened any law.”

The debate is only beginning.