The Minister of Women Affairs , Uju Kennedy -Ohanenye, has withdrawn a suit she earlier filed against the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, following his decision to marry off 100 orphans from his constituency.
The Minister’s decision to withdraw the suite is coming a day after the Niger State Speaker had announced plans to halt his decision to shoulder the material and financial requirements for the marriage.
Speaking with reporters, the minister noted that the ministry in collaboration with the speaker of the Niger state assembly, and traditional rulers from the state, are currently investigating the ages of the girls to ascertain if they are within the stipulated age for marriage.
Addressing newsmen on his decision to withdraw from the planned mass wedding earlier scheduled for the 24th of this month, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji expressed dismay that, he was “never contacted for clarity but conclusions were drawn over the matter.”
He reiterated that his “plans to marry off 100 orphans in his constituency as part of measures to alleviate their sufferings” and in accordance with the tradition and dominant faith in the area which, ” do not allow or encourage prostitution and promiscuity.”
Reacting to the development, the Kano State chapter of the the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), urged the minister to withdraw the litigation and petition she wrote to the Inspector General of Police.
The Chairman, Malam Hassan Indabawa, who made the call on Thursday night in a statement, described the Minister’s decision as “harsh and hasty over a matter that is entirely beyond the scope of her ministry.”
“The minister’s attempt at media demonisation of marrying off of 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatised for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance to the culture and traditions of the Muslim North.
“This elaborate media blitz, over the matter, MURIC observed, was deliberately done to sway public opinion against the marriage institution, and an attempt to vilify Sarkin-Daji, after demonstrating his genuine concern for the needs of members of his constituency,” Indabawa said.
