Amid tension resulting from the signing of a controversial Samoa agreement by the federal government, Women Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment (WISE), a Kano-based non-governmental organisation has been accused of advocating for homosexual rights.
The organisation started with a focus on combating Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Kano State before drifting into the advocacy for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) practice.
WISE, as seen in a series of videos analysed by our reporter, had organised several campaigns, seminars and workshops in efforts to promote LGBTQ in the state.
The NGO in its campaigns against gender-based violence, has involved state agencies such as Kano State Hisbah Board, Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) and other security agencies.
Available pictorial evidence show officials of Kano Hisbah, KAROTA and police in attendance in one of their activities.
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WikkiTimes had earlier reported that Idris Ahmed Gama, the head of Kano Hisbah Medical Unit, in partnership with WISE advocated for equal treatment for LGBTQ community in Nigeria.
How It Was Discovered
The activities of the NGO were unearthed by Kano Chronicle, an X handle promoting the image of Kano on the microblogging app.
“While we are talking about the Samao agreement there is an LGBTQ evangelism going on in Kano mostly targeting young girls, even though the Nigerian law has banned activities like this,” Kano Chronicle posted on X.
The post generated a wide range of reactions as critics called on the state government to clamp down on the NGO.
Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, the State Commandant-General of the Hisbah, reacted to the trend on Monday.
“We are aware of some non-profit organizations hiding under the guise of charity and empowerment but secretly advocating LGBTQ. We have been working tirelessly in collaboration with the Kano state government to identify and ban those organisations,” Daurawa said during a press conference in Kano.
The commander also spoke about the Hisbah official who aligned with WISE to promote LGBTQ rights in Kano.
He said the official has been brought before the Hisbah Command and will be interrogated accordingly.
The activities of the NGO were in violation of a legislation enacted in 2014 by the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Section four subsection one and two Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2013, noted that the law prohibits the registration and show of same sex relationship in the country.
The act proposes a 10-year jail term for violators of the law.
“Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organizations, or directly or indirectly makes public show of same sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment,” Section five subsection two of the act reads.
Efforts to reach WISE proved abortive as its X handle had been restricted. Also, the contact number provided on its website [before it was taken down] was not reachable.
