Niger State Imams’ Forum demands Tinubu sack Women Affairs Minister over 100 orphan marriages

Umar-Faruk Abdullahi, leader of the Niger State Imams’ Forum and other Muslim and traditional leaders, has demanded that President Bola Tinubu sack the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye.

The four-point demands were disclosed in an emergency meeting held on Wednesday after the Minister said she had filed a petition and legal order against the Niger State Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, in his attempt to marry off 100 orphan girls in the state, as requested by the traditional and Muslim community leaders.

One demand is that the Minister withdraw statements and petitions against Sarkindaji within the next seven days or face legal action.

According to the Secretary, “She used many words to blackmail the Speaker, Muslims of Niger States,” stating that Minister only has sevens days for retraction.

He also alleged that the Minister has portrayed the move to mean the group is giving out underage children into early marriage, claiming they are above 18 years of age.

The second demand from the religious group was that President Tinubu relieve Uju-Kennedy from the Office of the Minister of Women Affairs of the country with immediate effect.

The group argued that she is not qualified for the Office of the Federation and commended the Speaker for sponsoring the mass wedding.

The group also maintained that the marriage due to hold May 24, 2024, remains sacrosanct and that it will go ahead to conduct the marriage of 100 girls who are orphans due to insecurity in the state.

The Chairman of Chanchaga LGA, Aminu Ladan, also condemned the Minister while demanding for her sack.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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