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Few days ago, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, announced plans to marry off 100 female orphans who lost their parents to banditry attacks in Mariga Local Government Area.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Speaker has reportedly withdrawn his support from the controversial wedding ceremony planned for 100 female orphans in his constituency who are said to be orphaned IDPs in Niger State.
The decision came after a legal challenge initiated by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, Speaker Sarkindaji stated that his withdrawal followed a lawsuit filed by Minister, whom he accused of overstepping her official boundary.
The lawmaker added that she should take over the sponsorship of the wedding ceremony.
The Speaker disclosed that he had already made funds available to the girls’ parents through the traditional leaders and clerics of his constituency, noting that he would not withdraw the funds.
Sarkindaji also noted that his motive to sponsor the wedding was the state of poverty of the girls’ parents and not the constituency project, as reported in the media.
On the other hand, the Women Affairs minister, Kennedy- Ohanenye, during her own press conference, expressed her disapproval of the plans, highlighting that a thorough investigation has been initiated into the matter.
She said, “I want to let the honourable speaker of the house in Niger state know that this is totally unacceptable by the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and by the government.
“Because there is something called the Child’s Rights Act and I said it from the onset, that it is no more business as usual.
“These children must be considered, their future must be considered, the future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered.
So I have gone to court. I have written him a letter and written a petition to the IG of Police.
”And I have filed for an injunction to stop him from whatever he is planning to do on the 24th, until a thorough investigation is carried out on those girls, find out whether they gave their consent, their ages, find out the people marrying them,”
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