The Women Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment and Equality (WISE), an NGO promoting LGBT rights in Kano, has abruptly left the state following Governor Yusuf’s order to crack down on their activities, according to a source close to the group who spoke to Prime Time News on condition of anonymity.
“Yes, they left Kano following the governor’s directive and have even closed their sites,” the source confirmed.
Governor Yusuf declared that his administration would not tolerate any groups advocating for LGBT rights in the state. The governor’s directive came after a report by Kano Times about WISE allegedly promoting same-sex marriage.
State Commissioner for Information Baba Halilu Dantiye said, “The state government will reject any agreement that supports the activities of homosexuals, citing their conflict with Kano’s cultural norms and ethical standards.”
Dantiye further revealed that the governor has instructed the Hisbah Board to take strong action against organizations advocating for LGBT rights in the state.
Another source close to WISE revealed that the group had been targeting young people, especially girls, and that some pictures showed them distributing reading materials to public schools under the guise of promoting gender equality, but secretly advocating for LGBT rights.