False Claims About Kano Government’s “Underwear Distribution” Debunked

Manipulated images circulating on social media falsely claiming that the Kano State Government distributed underwear to women as “empowerment gifts” have been thoroughly debunked following an investigation by Daily Trust.

The viral posts, which showed women holding red underwear alongside captions suggesting official government distribution, prompted verification due to the sensitive political climate in Kano State.

Forensic analysis of the images revealed clear signs of manipulation. Error Level Analysis (ELA), a technique used to detect image tampering, identified inconsistent brightness levels and noise patterns in the viral photos. The investigation found that images of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had been digitally inserted into the original footage, creating a false impression of his involvement.

The actual source of the content was traced to a political demonstration by supporters of Governor Yusuf, known locally as “Gida-Gida TikTokers.” The group was recorded displaying red underwear in front of the Kano Government House during First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s visit to the state last Thursday.

In the original video, the demonstrators chanted songs mocking Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, repeatedly using the phrase “Dan kamfan tsula” (loosely translated as “Tsula’s pants”). “Tsula,” a Hausa term for a small monkey, is commonly used as a derogatory reference to Kwankwaso in local political discourse.

The video reportedly first appeared through TikTok influencer Teemah Cool, a prominent figure among the Gida-Gida TikTokers. The demonstration drew immediate criticism, particularly from Kwankwaso’s supporters, who condemned it as indecent and emblematic of deteriorating political standards.

Teemah later defended the controversial display, claiming it was a response to earlier provocations by Kwankwasiyya supporters who had publicly waved wrappers while chanting “Falle daya ce” (suggesting Governor Yusuf would serve only one term).

The investigation established a clear timeline showing that the false “pants empowerment” narrative only began circulating on Friday, a day after the original political demonstration. This timing confirms the claim was a subsequent distortion of events rather than an accurate representation.

The incident has drawn mixed reactions across social media. Some supporters defended the original demonstration as political expression, while others condemned both the initial stunt and the subsequent misinformation. Sule Ya’u Tariwa, a Special Reporter with the Kano State Government, criticized the original demonstration as “madness in its rawest form” and later lamented that “the damage has been done” by the manipulated images.

This case highlights a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s political landscape, where satirical or provocative political demonstrations are frequently taken out of context, manipulated, and recirculated as factual claims. Such distortions aim to mislead the public or discredit political opponents, particularly during politically charged periods.

The spreading of such fabricated content underscores the importance of media literacy and fact-checking in Nigeria’s increasingly digital political discourse. As political tensions continue in Kano State, this incident serves as a reminder of how easily visual content can be manipulated to create false narratives that inflame political divisions.

The investigation conclusively determined that at no point did the Kano State Government distribute underwear to women as empowerment or campaign gifts, rendering the viral claim entirely false.