Activist Adeyanju schools APC presidential aspirant Yerima over statement that “Nothing wrong marrying 13-year-old”

It’s heartbreaking we have someone who sees no wrong in child marriage aspiring to be a president – Adeyanju

Former Zamfara governor and presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sani Yerima, says he did nothing wrong marrying a 13-year old girl. He justified marrying a 13-year-old Egyptian girl when he appeared on Channels TV on Tuesday.

Reacting, the convener of Concerned Nigerians, Adeyanju Deji has condemned Yerima’s public statement describing his words as “disappointing and heartbreaking” for someone who wants to be a president. Adeyanju, in his statement, has also dished out some important lessons for Yerima and his fellow proponents of child marriage about the consequences of such practices, which constitutes grave gender-based violence against the girl child and threatens the lives, well-being and futures of girls around the world.

Recognising UNICEF especially UNICEF Nigeria for their work towards ending this practice, Adeyanju explained that “Child marriage deprives girls of their childhood while also endangering their lives and health. Girls who marry before the age of 18 are more likely to experience domestic violence and are less likely to continue their education. They have worse economic and health outcomes than their unmarried counterparts, which are eventually passed down to their own children, putting a country’s capacity to provide quality health and education services under further strain.”

Furthermore, he stated that “Child brides frequently become pregnant during adolescence, when the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth rises – for both themselves and their children. The practice can also isolate girls from their families and friends, as well as exclude them from participating in their communities, wreaking havoc on their physical and psychological well-being. It is is harmful to a girl’s health, future, and family, and has a significant economic cost at the national level, with serious implications for development and prosperity”.

Adeyanju concluded that people like Yerima should not be given a chance to govern any state else it will become a lawless jungle.