Assembly Speaker Withdraws Support for Controversial Mass Wedding Ceremony

In a surprising turn of events, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, has withdrawn his support from a controversial wedding ceremony planned for 100 female orphans IDPs in his constituency.

The decision came after a legal challenge initiated by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Ohannaya, 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 Minister has decided to drag me to court over this matter, which I believe is beyond the scope of her office,” Sarkindaji stated.

He further suggested that the Minister should now take over the sponsorship of the wedding.

Also in a reaction signed by the National Coordinator Girls get Equal Nigeria Adolaji Odela urged the government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter and hold those accountable for their actions.

Declaring that they won’t stop until every girl can learn, lead, decide and thrive.

In an earlier statement by the Speaker, Sarkindaji had disclosed that 100 female orphans who lost their parents in banditry attack in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State will be given out in marriage.

He also had arranged funding for the ceremony, channelling funds through local traditional leaders and clerics to assist the families of the orphaned girls.

Despite pulling out of the event, he affirmed his commitment to the financial pledges already made.

“I have made the funds available to the girls’ families, and I will not retract my support,” he declared.

Sarkindaji also clarified his initial motivation for opting to sponsor the event, pointing out that it was meant to alleviate the financial burden on the girls’ families as provided for by Islam, rather than serving as a constituency project or forceful marriage as some reports had erroneously indicated.