Niger Speaker halts wedding plans for 100 orphans after Minister of Women Affairs petitioned IGP

Niger Speaker halts wedding plans for 100 orphans after Minister of Women Affairs petitioned IGP.

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulamlik Sarkindaji, says he will no longer attend the planned wedding of 100 orphan girls in his constituency.

This comes after the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, requesting a legal order to stop the speaker from overseeing the said wedding.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, May 14, Abdulmalik said he had already made funds available to the girls’ parents through the traditional leaders and clerics of his constituency, noting that he would not withdraw the funds.

Abdulmalik also pointed out that his motive for wanting to sponsor the wedding was the state of poverty of the girls’ parents and not the constituency project, as reported in the media.