Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, has withdrawn his support for the planned mass wedding of 100 orphans in his constituency.

He called for an investigation into claims of child rights abuse by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye.

Addressing journalists at the House of Assembly complex in Minna, Sarkindaji expressed his displeasure with the minister’s stance and the negative media coverage. He criticized the minister for not seeking clarity before making public condemnations.

This development follows the minister’s condemnation of the proposed mass wedding, citing violations of the Child Rights Act and raising concerns about the ages and consent of the girls involved.

Kennedy-Ohanenye petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and filed for a court injunction to halt the marriages.

The Speaker initially intended to support orphans whose parents could not afford marital expenses, but the minister argued that the plan could lead to child marriages and increase the number of young girls married off to bandits.