WHOSE RIGHT IS IT TO CONDUCT MARRIAGE BETWEEN FG AND LG?

 The recent court judgment by the High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos that ruled in favour of the Local Government averse FG, intense of whose constitutional right it is to conduct Court marriage, has raised dust that is yet to settle in some quarters. However, we are yet to get to the bottom of this matter. 

Over the past years, it has always been a cold war between these two heavy elephants. And like they say; if two elephants fight it's the grasses that will suffer. The motive behind it is still far fetched. When asked why the preference or the choice to opt for Ikoyi Registry, instead of the Local Government Registry, he told me that he learned that when you have a plan of travelling abroad or overseas, that Foreign Affairs preferred marriage certificate from the Federal Registry. Because it makes it easier to obtain Visa at the Embassy.

For example, it's basically on this notion that most would-be couples choose Ikoyi Registry to the Local Government Registry. It was even gathered that some people come from neighbouring towns and cities for this very purpose. And that's not even all, they go as far as queueing for as long as five to six months while awaiting their turn. 

It's said that for your name to appear on the Normal List it takes a lot of time, while the Special List is quicker and faster. I even knew a friend who was told to bring Forty-five Thousand Naira (#45,000:00) so that he can be shortlisted for the Special List Section. Though he later refused the offer because he doesn't believe in cutting corners.

Ever since the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice D.E. Osiagor sitting in Lagos last week, there has been a cacophony of dissonance voices. Some are in support of the ruling and others are against the ruling. In her argument, she stated categorically pellucidly that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria bequeathed the sole responsibility and right to the Local Government which is the Third Tier Government power to conduct the marriage rights. 

Will this be the final death to this long lingering battle of verbose? Only time will tell.. Should the LG go on to celebrate? As nobody knows what tomorrow holds in her succulent palms. It's said that he that lives in a glasshouse, shouldn't throw stones. But a word they say; is more than enough for the wise.

Written by: ©Pharaoh EZE