The Kano State Government has expressed strong disapproval over the blockage of the venue designated for the National Tijjaniyya Maulud by security agencies.
The Honorable Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, addressed the issue during a press conference on January 24, 2025.
Comrade Waiya welcomed the esteemed guests, including members of the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order, who traveled from across Nigeria and beyond to attend the Maulud in Kano State. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed guests from across Nigeria and beyond who have traveled to Kano to attend the National Tijjaniyya Maulud in Kano State, being a historical center of Islamic scholarship and religious harmony,” Waiya stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting religious activities that promote peace, unity, and spiritual growth.
The Commissioner expressed great concern over the actions of the security agencies, describing the blockage as unnecessary and unjustified. “It has come to our attention with great concern that security agencies have blocked the venue designated for this highly significant religious event.
This action is not only unnecessary but also unjustified, as there has been no report of any security threat in Kano State that would warrant such an extreme measure,” Waiya emphasized. He noted that the Kano State Government had not issued any complaints regarding insecurity and found the presence of security operatives at the venue unwarranted and unacceptable.
Comrade Waiya categorically stated that the National Tijjaniyya Maulud would hold as scheduled on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Kofar Mata Stadium. “I wish to categorically state that the National Tijjaniyya Maulud will hold as scheduled tomorrow, Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 8:00 AM at Kofar Mata Stadium, as earlier planned,” he declared. He stressed that the religious activity, which had been held annually for the last 39 years, would not be obstructed. “Any attempt to obstruct the process of organizing a lawful gathering like this is not only an encroachment on the citizens’ right to lawful assembly but also a fundamental breach of the right to religious practice in Nigeria,” Waiya asserted.
The Commissioner urged the Federal Government to immediately withdraw its security agencies from the venue and allow the event to proceed without hindrance. “We urge the Federal Government to immediately withdraw its security agencies from the venue and allow the event to proceed without hindrance. Kofar Mata Stadium is a property of Kano State Government, and there is no justification for any external force to obstruct a legitimate religious gathering,” he stated.
Comrade Waiya reiterated Kano State’s reputation as a beacon of peace and religious tolerance and affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the rights of its people to religious freedom and peaceful assembly. “Kano State has always been a beacon of peace and religious tolerance, and we will not accept any form of intimidation or undue interference in our internal affairs. We remain resolute in ensuring that the rights of our people to religious freedom and peaceful assembly are respected,” Waiya concluded.
The press conference ended with Comrade Waiya urging all guests to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the Maulud would hold successfully. “Once again, I welcome all our guests and urge them to remain calm and law-abiding. The Maulud will hold successfully, In Shaa Allah,” he stated.
