Viral image of Kano state underwear empowerment, false

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Ukashatu Wakili

Claim: Viral pictures circulating on social media claim that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf distributed women’s underwear branded with his photograph as empowerment items.

Verdict: False. DUBAWA found that the viral image was altered. The governor’s photograph was superimposed on the underwear.

Full Text

A viral image circulating across Facebook, Instagram, and X has sparked debate online after users claimed that Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, distributed women’s underwear branded with his photograph as part of an empowerment initiative.

The image shows women displaying underwear allegedly bearing the governor’s portrait. 

The pictures generated reactions from users who either mocked the governor or condemned what they believed was a misuse of public office for political propaganda.

One Facebook user, veteran journalist Ojudu Babafemi, re-shared the image with commentary suggesting the incident reflected a worrying decline in political culture.

“When public service descends into spectacle, when dignity is traded for cheap visibility, and when leadership is reduced to branding exercises of this sort, it raises serious questions about our priorities,” he wrote.

Adebiyi Fashoyin, another user, commented: “Theatre of the Absurd!”

Given the image’s viral spread and its political implications, DUBAWA investigated the claim’s authenticity.

Verification

DUBAWA conducted reverse image searches and forensic analysis to determine its origin.

The investigation revealed that the image was extracted from a video originally posted by Fatima Nasir, popularly known as Teemah Cool. Fatima is an influencer and supporter of Governor Yusuf, popularly associated with the “Gida-Gida” political movement in Kano.

The original footage showed women displaying underwear during a political gathering in Kano. However, closer examination revealed that the governor’s image seen on the viral pictures was not present in the original video.

SynthID Verifier confirmed that part of the image was edited or generated with Google AI.

This indicated that the photograph of Governor Yusuf was digitally added using photo-editing tools.

Misleading Narrative 

DUBAWA found that the claim emerged from a distorted interpretation of an actual political gathering.

The original video was recorded on April 23, 2026, when supporters of Governor Yusuf gathered to welcome Oluremi Tinubu during her visit to Kano for the inauguration of the Energise Commercialisation Now program.

During the event, some supporters were heard chanting political songs mocking Rabiu Kwankwaso, widely regarded as the political mentor and former ally of Governor Yusuf.

The underwear displayed in the video formed part of the political symbolism and mockery exchanged between rival camps in Kano politics.

However, the later addition of the governor’s image to the underwear transformed the footage into a misleading narrative suggesting an official empowerment programme involving the distribution of branded underwear.

What Teemah Cool said

DUBAWA attempted to contact Teemah Cool for clarification but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

However, in an interview circulated by media blogs, the TikTok influencer reportedly stated that she personally bought the underwear from the market.

She explained that the act was intended as political retaliation against opposition supporters who allegedly mocked Governor Yusuf with the slogan “falle daya” (single wrapper), suggesting he would serve only one term in office.

Conclusion

The viral image claiming that the Kano state Governor distributed underwear branded with his photograph to women is false.