No marriage rites was performed in four months after a chief in northern Nigeria imposed $375 levy as bride price, the BBC has reported.
Ado Sa’id who is chief of Kera village in Kano state imposed the levy explaining it is cheaper than the old practice of groom giving gifts like kitchenware to the family of the bride.
But the policy has backfired. The public outcry has been huge.
A villager, Isah Kera complained some couples have been compelled to perform marriage rites in other communities to escape the jurisdiction of the new rule.
Another villager, Sani Kera also revealed, the family has suspended marriage plans for all five men who are ready for marriage but for the bride-price levy.
Local authorities have since moved to suspend the new policy calling it a “mistake”.
The chairman of the local government authority for the area, Maigida Adamu, said the decision was unilaterally taken.
The suspension of the bride-price levy has been roundly welcomed.