Like Rivers, Abia gets law allowing women to inherit property

Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia, has signed the Female Persons Right of Inheritance of Property Law 2022.

Ikpeazu signed the bill into law on Thursday at the government house in Umuahia, the Abia capital.

The development comes six days after women across the country commenced 16 days of activism on gender-based violence (GBV) and other forms of abuse against women.

Commenting on the new legislation, the governor said it is unacceptable to continue “to treat women as second-class citizens in their own families”.

Ikpeazu said the government will not stop applying good reason and common sense while conducting its responsibilities to the state.

The governor described the new law as the most important legislation passed by the seventh assembly, adding that it is “historic, positively disruptive and capable of setting our society on the path of equal opportunities and sustainable development”.

He commended the house of assembly members for their determination and efforts in ensuring the passage of the bill.

Ikpeazu congratulated Abia women for the accomplishment and assured them that the government will continue to support them in protecting their interests.

Historically, the practice of prohibiting females from inheritance has posed a serious challenge to women in many parts of Nigeria.

The supreme court, in 2020, annulled the tradition of prohibiting women from inheriting their parent’s properties.

The practice was also nullified by a high court sitting in Etinan LGA, Akwa Ibom state, on March 21, 2021.

In September, Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, had also signed a similar bill into law, allowing women the right to inherit properties in the state.

Wike and Ikpeazu are among the aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) known as the ‘Integrity Group’.