Minister Petitions IGP, Seeks Injunction to Stop Niger Speaker’s Mass Marriage Plan
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has taken swift action against the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, over his plans to marry off 100 orphaned girls as part of his constituency project on May 24. The Minister has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and sought a court injunction to stop the mass marriage, citing the Child’s Rights Act and the need to protect the girls’ future and well-being.
Kennedy-Ohanenye described the plans as “unacceptable” and emphasized that a full-scale investigation has commenced to ensure the girls’ consent, ages, and the identities of their prospective husbands. She stressed the importance of empowering the girls through education and skill training, rather than forcing them into marriage.
“I want to let the honourable speaker of the house in Niger states know that this is unacceptable by the Federal Minister Of Women Affairs and by the government unacceptable.Because there is something called the Child’s Rights Act and I said it from the onset, that is no more business as usual. These children must be considered, their future must be considered, the future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered”, Kennedy-Ohanenye said.
She added that, “So I have gone to court. I have written him a letter and written a petition to the IG of the police, And I have filed for an injunction to stop him from whatever he is planning to do on the 24th until a thorough investigation is carried out on those girls, find out whether they gave their consent, their ages, find out the people marrying them,” she said.
“Those that do not want to go to school, we will train them in skill, empower them with sustainable empowerment machines to enable that child build his or her life and make up her mind who and when to get married. If for any reason the Speaker tries to do contrary to what I have just mentioned there will be a serious legal battle between him and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs,” she said.
The Minister warned that if the Speaker proceeds with the mass marriage, there will be a “serious legal battle” between him and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. She emphasized that every child belongs to the state and their rights will be protected from harm, violence, or any infringement.
The move has sparked a heated debate on child marriage, empowerment, and the role of government in protecting vulnerable citizens. The outcome of the investigation and legal proceedings will be closely watched, as it sets a precedent for future cases involving child marriage and exploitation.
