Former Cross Rivers Governor and presidential hopeful, Donald Duke, has backtracked on his comments about Nigeria’s gay population, saying he agreed that homosexuality should remain illegal.

Recall that Mr Duke, who spoke on the YouTube talk show, On The Couch, promised that he would not crimanlize homosexuality if he won the 2019 elections.

Mr Duke said he did not understand the ‘feelings’ gay people had, but he would not criminalize them.

“I don’t understand the emotional feelings a gay person would have toward someone of their sexuality. I don’t understand it. But I would not criminalise them. I would ensure that they have the protection of the law,” he told hosts Falz and Laila.

But Mr Duke who is very popular with young voters took to Instagram to clarify his thoughts on the matter.

“Recently, a statement I made during an interview concerning gay rights and homosexuality has been construed as the affirmation of my homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Nothing is further from the truth.

“Homosexuality is a crime in Nigeria and ought to remain so.

“What I, however, did say is that I would not go seeking homosexual for prosecution as this is liable to abuses and as such would rather not delve into the sexuality of an individual. For the avoidance of doubt our law on homosexuality stand in fact and in my moral rectitude,” he wrote.