The League of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has voiced strong opposition to the establishment of an NGOs Profiling Committee and the appointment of Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya as its chair. In a press conference held at the Nigeria Labour Congress Secretariat, Bala Abdullahi Gaduwana, a representative of the League, expressed their concerns and called for the dissolution of the committee.

Gaduwana highlighted that the initiative to establish the committee is reminiscent of previous attempts in 2017, which were ultimately abandoned due to widespread opposition. He emphasized that the current initiative poses a substantial threat to the freedom of association and the independence of NGOs, potentially silencing critical voices and discouraging vital advocacy work.

The League pointed out that the establishment of this committee duplicates existing regulatory frameworks such as the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, the National Planning Commission Act 1993, the ICPC Act 2000, the EFCC’s SCUML provisions, the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019, and the Office of the Special Adviser on NGOs for Donor Coordination. Additionally, within Kano State, the Directorate of Open Government Partnership (OGP) already provides mechanisms for NGO oversight and accountability. Therefore, the creation of this new committee is seen as a needless duplication of effort.

One of the most pressing concerns raised by the League is the appointment of Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya as chair of the committee. The League expressed serious reservations about Waiya’s suitability for the role, citing his past involvement with the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF). During his seven-year tenure as Interim Management Committee President of KCSF, Waiya faced documented accusations of financial impropriety, withholding crucial organizational documents, and failing to conduct elections. Furthermore, he is currently involved in several legal disputes with the elected KCSF executives, the KCSF Electoral Committee, and the KCSF Board of Trustees.

The League argued that Waiya’s demonstrated antagonism towards the KCSF, the constituency that propelled him to his current position, raises serious doubts about his impartiality as chair of the NGO Profiling Committee. They expressed concerns that Waiya might prioritize personal agendas over the public interest in his role on the committee, thus compromising transparency and accountability.

In their demands, the League called for the immediate dissolution of the NGO Profiling Committee and urged the Kano State Government to mandate Waiya to relinquish all KCSF documents to the Board of Trustees and provide a comprehensive accounting of his leadership during his seven-year tenure.

The League also stressed the importance of mobilizing public awareness about the dangers of the committee’s establishment and its potential impact on the community. They committed to engaging in advocacy with relevant stakeholders, including government officials, legislators, and international organizations, to protect the civil society space in Kano State.

In conclusion, the League of CSOs emphasized that the appointment of an individual with such a controversial background to oversee the financial integrity and operational transparency of NGOs creates a fundamental conflict of interest. They urged the Kano State Government to reconsider the establishment of the committee and Waiya’s appointment to ensure transparency and accountability within the sector.