The Sokoto state government seems obsessed with the idea of regulating bride price and other activities relating to marital relationship. Available record indicates that the Bafarawa administration first toyed with the intention of government to meddle in what is, to all intents, a private affair between two families by making a law to that effect. Since then, the legislation has continued to attract the attention of lawmakers who have also continued to tinker with it from time to time
Tagged, “Regulation and control of expenses of marriages, naming and circumcision ceremonies and for purposes connected thereto” the law was first enacted in 1992 and reviewed in 1996. It was revisited again in 2022 with the intention to review and or amend it. Already, a final draft is awaiting the assent of the state governor.
According to the sponsors of the bill seeking to review this law, it is aimed at reducing the extravagances in organizing the listed ceremonies. It is also purportedly in response to series of complaints received from members of the public over the high cost of marriages, for instance.
In the opinion of the lawmakers, cost has become a hindrance to marriages among the youth. And even worse, a source of early crisis-ridden marriages that often lead to failures. Such excuses apply not only to Sokoto state. In some areas, getting married is a capital project requiring huge investment. Still, we insist that the issue ought to be the exclusive preserve of the families concerned.
In our opinion, it is futile to attempt to regulate matters of the heart and anything relating to it. A suitor, genuinely in love with his bride, is not bothered about what it will cost him to win her affection. He can talk things over with his prospective parents-in law without any busybody lawmaker interfering needlessly.
In the culture of the area in question, it is not only the youths that marry. Acquiring multiple wives has become a pastime among the political elite who take delight in changing the old with the young to suit their newly assumed status or to satisfy their overflowing libido. Maybe they want it at a cheaper rate.
Already, some elders and clerics are pointing out to the government that such meddlesomeness in a matter that is expressly private contravenes the provisions of the Shari’ah law which encourages adherents of the faith to marry a person that matches their social status.
As a newspaper, we are flabbergasted that the lawmakers are responding to the outcries of the people only on this issue of marriage rites. As politicians, they are expected to harken to the cries of the people also on matters that relate to their welfare.
For instance, why are the lawmakers not regulating the cost of living with the intention to bring it to manageable levels? Why are they not making laws that bring their salaries and allowances to levels that will take cognizance of the pervasive inequities in the polity? Why are the lawmakers not legislating against treasury looting and outrageous exit benefits?
The challenge is that the political class or the ruling elite are part of the problem that is impoverishing the youth and making them unable to marry. When a youth cannot get a job, no matter how menial, years after leaving school, how can he get married? Or keep a marriage healthy?
In our view, the obstruction the youths face as they strive to start a family is not just the bride price as important as it is. The major obstacle is that the socio-economic circumstances created by bad governance as well as corruption in high places eat up the resources that would have been used to generate jobs and other economy- boosting activities that would have put the youths in good stead to venture into the business of married life. Those are what, in our opinion, pose serious threats to the idea of marriage. And that is what the lawmakers should devote their legislative time to.
We have, on this page, pointed out the outrageous expenses that go into politicking and elections. We have also expressed our consternation at the inclination of politicians to see politics as business with the intention of recouping cost as soon as they get into office. Because it pertains to group interest, nobody regulates on them. The lawmakers do not see the relevance of considering the implication of such malfeasance on the welfare of the people whose moans and lamentations are glossed over.
In places where there is good governance and the welfare of the people is the top priority of those in political offices, there is no time at all to worry about what it cost one to get a wife. It is private and should be left as such.
In our considered opinion, the youth should have the convenience of getting married without breaking a bank. We also commend the lawmakers for their attentiveness. At least, for once, they are responding to complaints from members of the public. However, it is pertinent to emphasise that a young man with means of income in an economy that is vibrant, is not bothered about what it cost him to win his love. It shouldn’t bother the lawmakers either.
