The Permanent Secretary of Cabinet Affairs in Kebbi State, Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, suspended for claims about registered gay and lesbian groups in Sokoto and Kebbi States, has eaten his words, admitting that his claims were baseless.
It is not clear if the top official was forced to back down under pressure from powerful forces in the Caliphate and state government or if he truly goofed.
But summoned by the Kebbi State Council of Ulama for clarification, Kigo admitted to fabricating the statistics on number of gays and lesbians.
At a press briefing organised by the Council in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, Kigo formally withdrew his statement and issued an unreserved apology.
“I, Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, acknowledge that I made a mistake and offended the sensibilities of Muslims in Sokoto, Kebbi, and beyond,” he said.
“I am deeply remorseful and seek forgiveness for the false statistics I presented. I urge anyone in possession of the offensive video clips to delete them permanently.”
The Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Sheikh Abdurrahman Isa Jega, confirmed Kigo’s admission and urged public figures to weigh their words carefully.
“Nasiru Abubakar Kigo is a member of our Council. He has admitted his error and apologized,” Sheikh Jega said.
“I appeal to all Ulama, clerics, students, and the general public to consider the consequences of their statements before speaking.
“On behalf of the Council, I also tender an apology to the governments and people of Sokoto and Kebbi States, and to the entire Muslim Ummah.”
Everyday.ng reports that the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office claimed that Kebbi has 19,567 lesbians, majority of whom are married women and 15,979 homosexuals while delivering a Ramadan lecture at a mosque in Aliero Quarters area of Birnin Kebbi.
He said investigation showed that they were registered with ID Cards and certificate of homosexuality.
He said a second investigation carried showed that homosexual had a station in a local government.
“They influence children to join. We know we don’t want to expose them.
“Those registered homosexual have reached 15,979 here in Kebbi”.
A letter dated April 4 from the office of the State Head of Service, Shekare Malami, said the permanent secretary remained suspended until investigation into the claims and figures he reeled out.
On Thursday, the Special Adviser to the governor on Religious Affairs, Engr Imrana Ibn Usman, faulyed the permanent secretary’s position describing it as “defamatory, obnoxious, misleading and unacceptable.”
“We diligently appraised these claims to establish the truth, the assertion that Sokoto State ranks highest in the nation for lesbianism is utterly false and condemnable.”
“The Kebbi State Government categorically rejects and condemns such false declarations and will not allow the good image of the state to be tarnished,” he added.
“These false claims have painted our states (Kebbi and Sokoto) and our people in a negative light, while also misrepresenting Islam and the legacy of the Sokoto Caliphate,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Zakkat, Sadaqat and Waqf Board, Sheikh Umar Isa Magaji, stated that the Council had conducted a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The Council acted swiftly in line with Islamic principles.
According to the teachings of Umar bin Khattab (RA), a Muslim who makes a mistake must promptly correct it,” Sheikh Magaji said.
“Kigo’s statement affected not only Sokoto and Kebbi but the entire Muslim community. That’s why the Council presented him before the public to set the record straight.”
