Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has declared that his administration will not tolerate any group suspected of promoting or advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in the state.
This stance comes amid rising tensions over the activities of organizations allegedly supporting same-sex marriage in Kano.
The announcement was made by the state Commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye, who addressed the media on Sunday in Kano. Dantiye’s remarks were prompted by concerns surrounding an alleged agreement by the Federal Government related to LGBTQ rights.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Dantiye revealed that Governor Yusuf has directed the Hisbah Board, a religious enforcement agency, to take decisive action against groups promoting LGBT rights in Kano. Dantiye stated, “I spoke with the governor, and he expressed his disapproval of the said agreement, even though it has not yet been confirmed. He assured me that there is no room for LGBT activities in Kano.”
Dantiye emphasized the governor’s position by pointing out the religious and cultural context of Kano, noting that “98% of Kano’s population are Muslims by faith, and our religion is against this immorality, so we can’t accept it.”
Regarding the allegations of groups promoting LGBT activities, Dantiye explained that the government has received concerns from citizens and that the governor has instructed the Hisbah Board to investigate these groups and take necessary legal actions. He added, “We also discussed this with the governor, and he directed Hisbah to investigate and crack down on them. We will take legal action as appropriate.”
Additionally, Dantiye mentioned that the state government is engaged in ongoing consultations with religious leaders to devise effective strategies to address and curb any such activities within the state.