The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulamlik Sarkindaji, has called off the planned wedding for a hundred orphan girls, scheduled to take place in his constituency.
Sarkindaji explained that the decision was taken in response to a legal action taken by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Ohanenye, to stop the wedding.
The Speaker made this known on Tuesday during a press briefing, where he expressed anger that the minister had gone beyond her jurisdiction.
Sarkindaji also stated that the minister would bear the cost of the wedding ceremony.
The Speaker had unveiled a constituency project aimed at assisting female orphans affected by banditry in the state.
Sarkindaji, who represents the Mariga State Constituency, announced plans to marry off 100 female orphans, with the dowries to be covered by him as part of the initiative.
He also pledged to cover the dowries for the grooms, stating he had acquired all necessary materials for the proper marriage of the 100 girls.
The Speaker assured that their comfort in their matrimonial homes had been arranged, just as it would be for any other child marrying according to Islamic traditions.
However, the Minister of Women Affairs petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and sought a court injunction to stop Sarkindaji from marrying off the orphaned girls.
Kennedy-Ohanenye described the planned marriage as “unacceptable” emphasizing that a full-scale investigation has commenced on the issue.
