by Rachel Ogbu
Senator Ayo Akinyelure representing Ondo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly was said to have wept publicly for being the only senator from the South-West that supported the inclusion of underage girl marriage in the constitution.
“I voted in error. I can never in my life support under age marriage. Whatever this might have caused my people, please, forgive me,” Akinyelure reportedly begged while prostrating before leaders of the councils he represents who had summoned him to explain his action.
“I will do whatever is humanly possible at my disposal to ensure that this thing is removed from the constitution.”
Sources said Akinyelure tried to address a tough crowd at the meeting which took place at Adegbemile Hall and was witnessed by leaders of the ruling Labour Party including commissioners representing the six councils in the state executive council.
[READ: “It will destroy our girls”: Abike Dabiri-Erewa opposes bill encouraging child brides]
He said there was a misinterpretation of the vote on his part as what he voted for was that whether a married woman is deemed to be of full age to renounce her Nigerian citizenship and not whether a woman can marry before attaining the age of 18 years.
“I cannot vote in support of child marriage. I cannot support an under-age to go and marry, it is against our culture and customs,” he said
“If voting were to be done by show of hands, I would have been able to correct my error before the voting was concluded by the Senate.”
But the women leaders across the six council areas were said to have still disowned him and asked him to renounce his position.
“We say no to child marriage, it is worse than child abuse, we wonder why he would support the action, can a ten year old girl face the challenges of marriage.”
We are crying for job opportunity while the government is given us marriage opportunity,NIGERIA LEADERS ARE A DISGRACE.
Nigerian women arise and protect the girl child! Every woman deserves a good education. if we the south african women marched against apartheid what nt of u fight for the girl child. therz a sayin that says if u educate a woman u hv educated the whole village. put up petitions to discourage underage marriage these little girls should be given good education n be protected against these horrific men. there should be laws that protect women. SAY NO TO WOMEN AND CHILD ABUSE!
Nigeria was facing many challenge, this was not included, child marriage does not doing anything in Nigeria problem, you can give out your child earlier at 2years if you like, let leave this and face ά serious obstacle fighting the country, am asure early marriage is not back fire the country. Is our government that bring problem in to the country. For example, many 13year old girl now where raping, even most call ά guy by themself, some beg for sex what of that. To reduce hiv/aids we must give our girl out to marriage ά time you know is better. Sorry to say again. Early marriage is not bad at all. Let face our main problem that backfire us like, bad road, poor electrcity, insecurity, no job for youth, bad water, bad leader, selfish leader, embezlement, et Nigeria was facing many challenge, this was not included, child marriage does not doing anything in Nigeria problem, you can give out your child earlier at 2years if you like, let leave this and face ά serious obstacle fighting the country, am asure early marriage is not back fire the country. Is our government that bring problem in to the country. For example, many 13year old girl now where raping, even most call ά guy by themself, some beg for sex what of that. To reduce hiv/aids we must give our girl out to marriage ά time you know is better. Sorry to say again. Early marriage is not bad at all. Let face our main problem that backfire us like, bad road, poor electrcity, insecurity, no job for youth, bad water, bad leader, selfish leader, embezlement, et Nigeria was facing many challenge, this was not included, child marriage does not doing anything in Nigeria problem, you can give out your child earlier at 2years if you like, let leave this and face ά serious obstacle fighting the country, am asure early marriage is not back fire the country. Is our government that bring problem in to the country. For example, many 13year old girl now where raping, even most call ά guy by themself, some beg for sex what of that. To reduce hiv/aids we must give our girl out to marriage ά time you know is better. Sorry to say again. Early marriage is not bad at all. Let face our main problem that backfire us like, bad road, poor electrcity, insecurity, no job for youth, bad water, bad leader, selfish leader, embezlement, et Nigeria was facing many challenge, this was not included, child marriage does not doing anything in Nigeria problem, you can give out your child earlier at 2years if you like, let leave this and face ά serious obstacle fighting the country, am asure early marriage is not back fire the country. Is our government that bring problem in to the country. For example, many 13year old girl now where raping, even most call ά guy by themself, some beg for sex what of that. To reduce hiv/aids we must give our girl out to marriage ά time you know is better. Sorry to say again. Early marriage is not bad at all. Let face our main problem that backfire us like, bad road, poor electrcity, insecurity, no job for youth, bad water, bad leader, selfish leader, embezlement, et cetera.
You must be a fool for saying one problem is bigger than child marriage snd that there is nothing wrong with child martiage
Bimbo u don’t need to insult any body here,to me either early or late married should be decided by parent,is not an issue they should be debating on compare to the mean problem confronting nigeria,eg electric power,corruption,etc
The man is a joncing man. He feels remorse because he found out he is d only governor from the south that voted. He should hug transformer joor…
dis is abormination d country is facing serious challenge security, bad road, unemployed gradaute every where.anyway i dnt blame them old age is teling on them can they give their 10yr old daughers hand in marriage after stealing our money they train their children abroad wen they return they begin 2 reason lik d fool they are they shouldnt text d rut of God ooh