Indefinite Suspension: Kebbi Permanent Secretary in Trouble Over His Controversial Claim of Gays, Lesbians in Two Northern States
Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that in a bid to protect the states from an alleged fictitious and baseless claim, the Kebbi State Government has suspended a Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, over his controversial claim that Kebbi and Sokoto states have the highest number of registered gays and lesbians in the country.
OTN News further reports that the suspension which was approved by the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, and the development confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, in a letter, said that the suspension was in line with civil service regulations.
OTN News recalls that Kigo, who is also an Islamic cleric, made the statement during a Ramadan seminar held at the Adamu Aliero Housing Estate in Birnin Kebbi.
Subsequently, in response to Kigo's claim the state governor in a letter described it as “fictitious and baseless,” then move on to approved his indefinite suspension following public outrage over the remark.
In a letter issued by the state Head of Service, Malami Shekare, read in part, “According to civil service rules, you are to proceed on suspension pending the outcome of investigation on your claims of registered homosexuals and lesbians in Kebbi State.
Your statement constitutes social misconduct and a dent on a morally decent state.”
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Government had earlier distanced itself from Kigo’s assertion, insisting that no such statistics exist and that the claim was a personal opinion not backed by any official data.
However, the incident has sparked debate across the state, with several groups calling for responsible public communication, especially from government officials.
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