The Governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje stated his willingness to sign the death warrant on 22-year-old Kano-based singer, Yahaya Sharif on Thursday, August 27. 

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in the Government House, Governor Ganduje said he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant on Sharif who was sentenced to death by an Upper Shariah Court for Blasphemy. 

The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, said on Thursday that he would not waste time to sign the death warrant on a Kano-based singer, Yahaya Sharif, who was sentenced to death by an Upper Shariah Court for blasphemy.

An Upper Shari'a Court sitting at Hausawa Quarters in Kano State on Monday, August 10, found Yahaya Sharif guilty of committing blasphemy for using derogatory words in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March. Subsequently, he was sentenced to death by hanging for blaspheming against Prophet Muhammad.

"Kano State Government has accepted the judgement passed by the Sharia Court, and it has also accepted the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Governor Ganduje said on Thursday. 

He also noted that the 22-year-old singer had a 30-day grace to appeal the judgement.

"In the event the convict appeals the judgement, we shall wait and follow the case up to the Appeal Court. If he further appeals to the Supreme Court, we shall follow the case there. If the Supreme Court upholds the two lower court judgements, the Governor of Kano State will not add one minute to sign the execution order," Ganduje stated.

The Kano Governor added that his administration would do its best to make people desist from blasphemy. 

Many have commended Ganduje's swift and definite stance on the matter. They opine that the Governor's signing of the death warrant would serve as a deterrent to others. 

"Honestly, the step Gov Ganduje took towards that senseless blasphemer vindicate that he's one of the best things that ever happened to Kano and northern Nigeria as whole and I am sure the gesture will barricade the occurrence of such things in the future," a Twitter user said. 

"I've never been as impressed by Ganduje as I am now, he said he won't waste a minute in signing the death warrant for the guy who blasphemed against Prophet Muhammad pbuh, I pray this serves as a warning to all, let's respect every religion and keep Nigeria UNITED. Peace," another user said on Twitter. 

A twitter user, Naseer oumar warned non-muslims to steer clear this conversation. 

"All dis ppl be making noise upandan!

You aren't muslim, den stay away from matter wey no concern you. Nobody seek ur opinion on hw Sharia law should be nd dis bluffing will nt change it. 

Ganduje won't give damn thing about yhu, if e pain yhu! Jst organize protest at Kano."

However, many more wonder why other criminal offences like murder, stealing and rape are not swiftly executed. 

In 2018, Ganduje was enmeshed in a corruption scandal after a video surfaced appearing to show him pocketing dollars believed to be a bribe.

The video did not hurt his second term bid at the polls as he won the gubernatorial election for his second term in Kano.