Minister’s Threat: Niger Speaker Halts Marriage Of 100 Orphans

Following the threat of an injunction to stop the speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji from marrying off 100 orphaned girls as planned, the speaker has withdrawn from the arrangement.

He told journalists in Minna yesterday that the position of the minister of women affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye to seek legal action against him was wrong because he was not forcefully marrying off the orphans as claimed by the ministry.

The minister has petitioned the inspector-general of police (IGP) and sought a court injunction to stop the speaker of the Assembly from marrying off 100 orphaned girls.
Earlier, the speaker had announced his plans to marry off the orphaned girls, who lost their parents due to banditry attacks in his Mariga constituency.

Sarikindaji reacted yesterday while speaking to newsmen, saying that it was not true that he was doing that as part of his constituency project but as humanitarian service and in line with Islamic injunctions.
The speaker, however, said that although he has withdrawn from the entire arrangement, all the expenses already made and the materials purchased towards the success of the marriage will be handed over to the parents of the brides, saying “The parents may wish to go ahead with the marriage of their daughters but I have removed my hands.”

“I am highly disappointed in the minister for women affairs and, unfortunately, she allowed herself and her office to be misled by social media reports without finding out from me the true situation concerning this marriage,” he added.

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He said, “She never bothered to get across to me to even find out the motive behind this humanitarian gesture because I didn’t force any girl into marriage, it was the parents of the girls that approached me and solicited my support and I gladly accepted to assist them.”

The speaker said he took the action in consultation with religious and community leaders saying that he presented 270 for the marriage and told them that he could only provide support for 100 of the intended brides.