The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed the State Hisbah Board to crack down on groups suspected of promoting and advocating for LGBTQ rights in Kano.
The governor’s directive was coming amid rising tensions over the activities of groups allegedly promoting same-sex marriage in the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, disclosed this in a telephone interview with The Punch on Monday.
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According to the commissioner, the activities of the group with the code-named “Wise ” or Women Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment and Equality is a complete breach of the state’s moral standards and violation of the Shari’ah.
According to him, the state government will not accept any agreement that promotes the activities of gays and lesbians, as it contravenes the norms and values of the people of Kano.
“I spoke with the governor, and he expressed his disapproval of the said agreement, even though it has not yet been confirmed. He assured that there is no room for LGBT activities in Kano,” Dantiye said.
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“As you know, 98 percent of Kano’s population are Muslims by faith, and our religion is against this immorality, so we can’t accept it.”
Regarding allegations of groups promoting LGBT activities in the state, the commissioner stated that the government has received citizens’ concerns and the governor has ordered Hisbah to investigate and take action against these groups.
“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.”
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Dantiye also disclosed that consultations were ongoing with religious leaders on how to curb such activities in the state.
WISE, is an NGO which allegedly advocates for lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ+) rights, is a successor organization to Women Action for Gender Equality (WAGE).
