The debate that took place over 'child marriage' in the Nigerian Senate has triggered some mixed reactions from northern youths in the country, who have earlier told the senate to 'stop breeding religious division'.However,, the decision by the senate to debate the issue has been described by the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) as heating up the polity based on religious and ethnic lines, pointing out that the approach to which the senate is handling the issue showed how insensitive they are to the critical challenges facing Nigerians.
In a statement signed by its President, Gambo Gujungu said the Senate should be told "that their core functions as parliamentarians is not to debate, moderate or decide religions for Nigerians, or to divide Nigerians on Christian to Muslim bases or North to South fractions. But to make laws for peace, order and good governance, stability and indivisibiity of the Nigerian Federation as contained in Path II, Section Four (1,2,3) of the 1999 Constitution."
He added that what Nigerians expect from the senate was principled oversight functions: to address insecurity tearing the country, collapsing health and education sector, increased unemployment rate and dilapidated infracstructure.
"Another expectation is to address monumental corruption and fraud perpetrated with impunity by elected public office holders and career government officials that hold Nigeria captive from any meaningful development."
"To reduce Senate to religious moderation centre and place of petite issues that divides citizens on religious and ethnic lines and not arm of government that should confront our national challenges, is such a pity and unwarranted display of insensitivity by Senators at the expense of national issues, they said.
They urge the national assembly that they should ensure that Nigerians practice their faith without harrasment, limitation and intimidation.
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