Kano Cleric Apologises To Bauchi Gov’t Over False Claim On Homosexuality

Kano Cleric Apologises To Bauchi Gov’t Over False Claim On Homosexuality (leadership.ng)
A Kano-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdullahi Gadon Kaya has apologised to the Bauchi State government over a misinformation he propagated during one of his recent preaching sessions where he claimed that homosexuals across the country converged in an undisclosed hotel in the state to commit sodomy.

He also alleged that the homosexuals rented the hotel at a whooping sum of N100,000,000 for a 10-day event.

However, renouncing the claim, Gadon Kaya said he was wrongly informed by someone in Bauchi State who called him on phone to inform him about the supposed gathering of homosexuals.

LEADERSHIP reports that the allegation generated uproar in the state, leading to the cleric’s invitation by the Bauchi State Shariah Commission to give evidence of the claim.

Following the invitation by the commission, Gadon Kaya came out in a viral Facebook video monitored by our correspondent on Wednesday, debunking his previous allegations.

According to him, security agents had conducted thorough investigations on the matter but found it to be false.

He begged the Bauchi State government and security agencies for the misinformation, stressing that he was misled by someone whose identity he declined to reveal.

“I apologise to the government of Bauchi State and the security agents; and I want to state that I did not mean to hurt anyone with that misinformation. In the course of preaching, one may say something correctly or incorrectly at times”, he said.

Davis Mac-Iyalla, Executive Director,  Interfaith Diversity Network said, “I am glad he has apologies after being found out for speaking dangerous rumours against the LGBT+ community and their allies but I believe he should have gone further to preach tolerance and inclusion. Many LGBT+ Nigerians have been violently attacked and some forced to flee the country as a direct result of fake rumours like this from religious and traditional leaders.  fearing for their safety and security. 

IDNOWA will continue to work with stakeholders and state actors advocating for the human rights and freedom of LGBT+ people in Nigeria, and West African in general.