Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly reacts after minister petitioned the inspector General of Police over his plans to marry off 100 orphan girls

Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulamlik Sarkindaji, has reacted to Minister of Women Affairs petitioning the inspector General of Police over his plans to marry off 100 orphan girls. 

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, May 14, the speaker said he has cancelled the planned hosting of the wedding of 100 orphan girls in his constituency, saying he would not grace the occasion.

Sarkindaji took the decision following the action of the Women Affairs Minister, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, who dragged him to court. The speaker who insisted that he did initiate the marriage move, said he was approached by traditional rulers and clerics to sponsor the project.

Sarkindaji also said those who are claiming the girls have been subjected to abuses, should carry out an investigation and hold those responsible for it not him.

He also said his motive for wanting to sponsor the wedding was because families of the girls are poor. He also said he’s not using it as a constituency project.