Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano has directed the State Hisbah Board to crack down on groups suspected to be promoting and advocating for LGBTQ, popularly called same-sex marriage, rights in Kano.
LGBTQ is the abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (or Queer).
The governor’s order comes amid mounting concerns over the activities of groups allegedly promoting same-sex marriage in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye, who spoke with journalists on Monday, said the activities of the group, codenamed “WISE” or “Women Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment and Equality” were a complete breach of the state’s moral standards and a violation of the Shari’ah.
According to the Commissioner, the State government would not accept any agreement promoting the activities of gays and lesbians, as it contravened the norms and values of the Kano people.
He said; “I spoke with the governor, and he expressed his disapproval of the said agreement, though it has not yet been confirmed. He assured me that there is no room for LGBT activities in Kano.
“As you know, 98 per cent of people in Kano are Muslims by faith, and our religion is against this immorality, so we can’t accept it”.
Dantiye said the government had received citizens’ concerns over groups promoting LGBT activities in the state and Governor Yusuf had ordered the Hisbah to investigate and take action against these groups immediately.
The Information Commissioner stated thus; “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”.
He further disclosed that consultations were ongoing with religious leaders and organisations on how to curb such unholy activities across the state.
There are allegations that WISE, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), is advocating for lesbian, bisexual, and queer rights in Kano and other states across the country. Reports also indicate that WISE is a successor organisation to Women Action for Gender Equality (WAGE).
