Kebbi Ulamas, suspended perm sec apologise to state govt over controversial Ramadan lecture

The Kebbi State Council of Ulamas, alongside the suspended Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office, Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, apologised to the state government on Sunday evening over a derogatory statement made during a Ramadan lecture about the prevalence of homosexuality and lesbianism in Kebbi and Sokoto States.

Kigo, a Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service, had earlier presented inaccurate statistics at a public lecture held in Birnin Kebbi during Ramadan, claiming the existence of registered gay and lesbian groups in the two states.

Investigations conducted by independent bodies revealed that the claims were baseless and lacked truth. As a result, the Kebbi State Government suspended him and referred the matter to relevant religious authorities for further inquiry.

Under the auspices of the Kebbi State Council of Ulamas, Kigo was summoned and admitted that his statement lacked factual accuracy. The Council then convened a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, where the Permanent Secretary publicly withdrew his remarks 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. I am deeply remorseful and seek forgiveness for the false statistics I presented regarding homosexuality and lesbianism. I urge anyone in possession of the offensive video clips to delete them permanently,” he pleaded.

The Kebbi State Chairman of the Council of Ulamas, Sheikh Abdurrahman Isa Jega, stated that anyone who makes a mistake should apologise, citing verses from the Qur’an and Hadith that emphasise the importance of acknowledging and correcting one’s errors.

“Nasiru Abubakar Kigo is a member of our Council. He has admitted his error and apologised. I therefore appeal to all Ulamas, clerics, students, and the general public to weigh their words carefully and consider the consequences before speaking.

“As Chairman, I also tender an apology on behalf of the Council to the governments and people of Sokoto and Kebbi States, and to the entire Muslim Ummah.”

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Zakkat, Sadaqat, and Waqf Board, Sheikh Umar Isa Magaji, confirmed that the Council had investigated Kigo’s comments and found them to be unfounded.

“The Council acted swiftly to correct the narrative, 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 explained.

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