Much ado about inheritance law

For sometime now, the media landscape has been agog with several outbursts over a bill which I understand has passed through the second reading at the Senate. In sum, the majority of the discussants were not favourably disposed to the passage of this contentious bill.  It is, therefore, expected that rather than dissipating energies and resources vainly on mundane issues, it is better to read and under- stand the handwriting on the wall, do the needful, and make it early enough.

It is equally important to advise the lawmakers to make matters that affect the wider spectrum of the society available for public scrutiny before enacting laws.  The country’s political leaders should, as a matter of necessity, always consider the chemistry and political temperature of the country in the formulation of policies. To this end, those things that cause resentment and disaffection should be avoided in order not to stoke greater trouble in the course of solving a problem.

It is a common knowledge that the kernel of the vexed inheritance bill is to curb the incidence of perceived discrimination allegedly against the womenfolk.  As apt and logical as the intention may sound to some pundits, let us equally not ignore the issue of our cultural diversities in an ethno-religious environment such as ours.  In this regard, one would have expected the proponents of the said bill to subject same to public opinion by engaging various stakeholders for a positive and rancour-free outcome.

Please, let us be wise, as there are more urgent issues that touch on our collective psyche such as the economy, security, power situation, biting unemployment rate, road network and unprecedented level of poverty in the land.

Tony Anaele

Ijagemo, Lagos.