Source: AllAfrica
Kano — The recent proclamation by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll to present a bill regarding matrimonial issues at the state assembly has generated fierce debate between supporters and opposers of the bill.

The Emir made this pronouncement at an event, held in Abuja, marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Isa Wali. Though the law, if enacted, will regulate multiple aspects of family issues, the aspect in regards to the regulation of polygamy seems to attract the most attention.
Those in support of the law say it is a good development because, according to them, the law might bring sanity into the family. As for those opposing it, they said that such a law could lead to an increase in the number of single women in the society.
It is interesting to see that for an issue, which appears to have women at the receiving end, almost all women interviewed commended the Emir and see him as a champion for women's rights. They see it as a development that will salvage them from the shackles of selfish men.
Recall how sometime ago, the Emir spoke about something similar, stating that a wife should retaliate when her husband beats her. His statements generated a lot of debate.
Hajiya Khadijah Aliyu, who is a retired court worker and an Islamic cleric said the move is a positive development.
"This is a very welcome development and it is not something new because even during my diploma course in law, we were taught how marriage is conducted in the Arab world, most especially polygamy.
"Before a man can add another wife, he would have to go to the court to declare his intention and then declare his income for the judge to assess and see if his income would suffice him to take care of an additional wife," she said.
She added, "If the income is sufficient enough for that, he would be given the go ahead to add another wife but if his income is inadequate, he would be prevented from adding another wife."
Khadijah noted that a lack in adequate regulation was responsible for the abuse of polygamy by men.
She said, "Some men take and dispose women like the cloth they wear. Some would marry and after getting two or more children with the woman, would run away and leave her. In the end, she would have to return to her parents with additional children. This is not Islamic and any man who engages in such act is selfish. What the Emir is trying to establish is commendable."
Also reacting to the Emirs comments, a business man, Alhaji Muhammad Usman said that sensitization and not enacting a new law will solve the issue, "People should be sensitized on the need to do justice between their wives, rather than come up with a law that will ban additional wives. After all marital enjoyment is not about wealth because there are some rich men who abuse polygamy," he said.