THE Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, has withdrawn his support for a planned mass wedding of 100 orphans in his constituency, requesting that the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, investigate claims of child rights violation.
Sarkindaji made the statement while briefing journalists at the House of Assembly compound in Minna.
He expressed his disapproval with the minister’s stance on the mass wedding and his support for orphans whose parents are unable to cover marital expenditures.
Visibly agitated by the unfavourable media allegations ascribed to the minister, the Speaker stated that he was never asked for clarification, but conclusions were reached on the topic.
This comes just one day after the minister slammed the proposed marriages, claiming they violate the Child Rights Act and raise severe questions about the girls’ ages and consent.
Kennedy-Ohanenye petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for his cooperation in stopping the Speaker’s scheduled marriage.
She has asked for a court injunction to prevent the Speaker from marrying 100 orphans who he claims are children.
According to her, the decision to halt the speaker’s intention to marry young girls became imperative as the number of orphans wedded to bandits increased.
