The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing blasphemy laws, rejecting a ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice that declared parts of the laws incompatible with international human rights standards.
In a statement to Sunday PUNCH, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, defended the state’s stance, stressing Kano’s constitutional authority to preserve religious values aligned with the beliefs of its largely Muslim population.
“We will not be swayed by external influences,” Waiya stated. “Our duty is to uphold the religious and moral foundations of our society. While we acknowledge international perspectives, our laws reflect the collective will of our people.”
Waiya emphasized that Nigeria’s federal system allows states to pass laws reflecting their local moral and religious contexts.
“The people of Kano have entrusted us with maintaining peace and safeguarding their religious values. These laws are essential to that responsibility and will remain firmly in place,” he said.
Although the ECOWAS Court ruled against aspects of the law, Kano authorities maintain that their legal framework respects Nigeria’s pluralistic legal structure, which permits states to legislate on criminal matters listed under the Concurrent Legislative List.
“We respect the ECOWAS Court, but the laws governing our state must align with the distinct moral and religious identity of our people,” Waiya added.
The state government continues to stand by its interpretation of constitutional rights, prioritizing public order and religious sanctity over international objections.
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