Petition: Enraged Nigerians gather signatures against govt-sponsored wedding of Niger orphans

The government-sponsored wedding of 100 orphans who lost their parents to banditry attacks in the Niger State local government area of Mariga is being met with protests from incensed Nigerians.

Thousands of people have signed a petition that has gone viral online, voicing their outrage and displeasure at what they see as an abuse of public funding and a breach of the rights and dignity of vulnerable children.

Advocates are demanding accountability and transparency from the government officials in charge of this contentious event as the controversy heats up.

The viral petition by the Concerned Nigerian Citizens, quoting Article 18 of the Nigerian constitution, reads, “Every child shall be entitled to free, compulsory, and universal primary education, free from discrimination on any grounds whatsoever. Additionally, Article 15 guarantees the right to the dignity of the human person, which includes protection from any form of degrading treatment.”

The group made their demands public, pleading with the Niger State Government to stop the proposed marriage and defend the children’s rights.

It said, “We urge the Niger State Government to uphold its duty to protect the rights of these orphaned girls by prioritising their education and well-being. Rather than subjecting them to forced marriages, we call upon the government to provide adequate support, including access to quality education and proper care in well-managed orphanage homes.

“We demand immediate action to halt the proposed forced marriages and to instead implement measures that will empower these girls to lead dignified and fulfilling lives.”

The Niger State House of Assembly Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, revealed plans on Saturday to marry off 100 female orphans who were left parentless due to banditry assaults in the state’s Mariga Local Government Area.

In addition to stating that he had acquired all required supplies for the large-scale wedding, Sarkindaji promised to pay the bridegroom’s dowry.

He claimed that out of the 170 females whose names were submitted, the girls who will be married off were carefully chosen.

The age range of the abandoned girls was not mentioned, though.

The public unleashed a torrent of criticism on the Speaker after the announcement, with many alleging that the girls will be married against their will.

In order to stop the wedding, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the minister of women’s affairs, also hauled the speaker into court.

In retaliation, Sarkindaji announced he would not be attending the 100 orphan girls’ wedding that was scheduled to take place in his area.