The House of Representatives in Nigeria has rejected a proposed bill aimed at amending the constitution to expand the scope of Sharia law beyond personal matters. The bill, introduced by Aliyu Missau, sought to amend sections 24, 262, and 277 of the Constitution by removing the term “personal” from the application of Sharia law. Missau argued that the current constitutional limitations create operational challenges for commercial entities like Jaiz and Taj banks, which are Sharia-compliant financial institutions.
Despite these arguments, the bill faced significant opposition from lawmakers who viewed it as an attempt to extend Sharia law into broader aspects of Nigerian society, which could potentially affect the religious freedom and secular nature of the state. Bamidele Salam, a representative from Osun State, voiced concerns that the bill could jeopardize the religious freedoms currently enjoyed in Nigeria and warned against any constitutional changes that might exacerbate existing divisions within the country. He emphasized that the issues the bill aimed to address are already covered by existing laws.
Awaji-Inombek Abiante echoed these concerns, suggesting that the bill could pose a danger by altering the delicate balance of religious and legal frameworks in Nigeria. Conversely, several lawmakers from the northern region, including Saidu Abdullah, Abdullah Ado, and Ahmad Satomi, supported the bill, arguing that its intentions were benign.
Ultimately, when the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu, called for a vote, the opposition to the bill prevailed, and the proposal was rejected. This outcome reflects the complexities involved in constitutional amendments, especially those that touch on sensitive issues such as religion and governance in Nigeria’s diverse society.