Wike Abolishes Law Stopping Women From Inheriting Their Family Property

Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike has condemned practices across the country that stops women from inheriting their father’s property.

The governor expressed his disappointment with the culture on Thursday when he signed into law three new bills passed by the State House of Assembly.

The bill sought an end to the denial of women inheritance prevalent among cultures and traditions in Rivers state.

The governor signed into law, the Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Right to Share in Family Property Law No. 2 of 2022 along with the Rivers Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Law No. 3 of 2022, and the Rivers Pension Reform (amendment) Law No. 4 of 2022.

He said, “Because you’re a girl, you’re a woman, you’re not entitled to inherit what belongs to your father. It is not you who decides to have a girl or a boy. It is God. So, put yourself in their shoes today where, by God’s mercy you have three children, all girls and you struggle in life to see what you can keep for them.

“Tomorrow, one of their uncles comes, and says, my friend, girls don’t inherit their father’s property. With all your efforts in life, somebody comes to discriminate against them, why?”

Speaking further, Wike argued that people have now discovered that daughters are more important than sons as they are the ones who take care of their aged parents.

He insisted that the law is important for the development of the state and also help women to inherit their entitlements by law.