Niger Speaker backs out of planned wedding for 100 orphan girls

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

Sarkindaji, who said he would not grace the occasion, took the decision following the action of the Women Affairs Minister, Uju Ohannaya, who dragged the Speaker to court to halt the wedding.

The Speaker made this known on Tuesday during a media briefing, adding that the minister had overstepped her bounds.

He said the minister should take over the sponsorship of the wedding ceremony.

The Speaker disclosed that 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.