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RE: Kano State At A Crossroads: Setting The Records Straight On Baseless Allegations

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Kano Map

 

Kano patriotic coalition of 87 civil society organizations have rejected a biased and politically motivated statement by league of CSOs accusing present administration of corruption.

In a statement signed by the convener Hassan Ibrahim Gama and co- convener Mustapha Muhammed Chiroma in behalf of the eighty seven groups on late Monday, the patriotic CSOs advised civil societies operating in Kano to embrace responsible engagements guided by facts and constructive partnership with government rather than partisan-driven activism.

“CSOs, NGOs and CBOs operating in Kano State should utilise available accountability platforms and networks in the state covering various sectors (education, health, environment, budget etc.) to transparently engage state government and it’s institutions”

The statement said “the attention of 87 members of the Patriotic Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (PCCSOs) in Kano State has been drawn to a press statement issued on August 23, 2025 by a group parading itself as the League of Civil Society Organisations in Kano State, wherein it made sweeping allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the present administration of His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State”

The patriotic CSOs said, they acknowledged that every citizen and civic group has the constitutional right to demand accountability, but, they are deeply concerned that the said statement is not only premature, misleading, and politically motivated, but also a deliberate attempt to discredit the ongoing reforms of the current administration and misinform the good people of Kano State.

“The Patriotic Coalition of Civil Society Organisations therefore considers it necessary to set the record straight and defend truth against propaganda.”

OUR POSITION:
1. Allegations Are Not Convictions
The cases referenced in the League’s statement are still under investigation by the EFCC and ICPC. In a democracy governed by the rule of law, no individual can be pronounced guilty through civil society press releases. To do so amounts to media trial, character assassination, and disregard for judicial processes. As patriotic CSOs, we uphold the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

2. A Misleading Narrative
Contrary to the exaggerated picture of “systemic rot” painted by the League, facts on ground show that the present administration has introduced reforms to promote accountability, including:
a)Full compliance with external audits and fiscal reporting.

b)Adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which has reduced leakages and improved financial discipline.

3) Establishment of procurement monitoring units and anti-corruption desks across MDAs.

These are concrete actions that any fair-minded observer cannot ignore.

The group also expressed concern over Politicization of Civil Society in Kano.

“It is regrettable that the League has abandoned neutrality and chosen to align with partisan interests. True civil society does not serve as a propaganda arm of the political opposition. Reckless and alarmist statements risk scaring away investors, demoralising public servants, and undermining the developmental gains already being achieved in the state”

4. Constructive Engagement, Not Blackmail
Accountability requires sober reflection, evidence-based advocacy, and constructive dialogue with institutions—not media trials or sensational headlines.

The patriotic CSOs said it is evident that, the government of Kano State has consistently maintained an open door policy for engagement with genuine civil society actors, encouraging the League to use these platforms instead of playing to the gallery.

“OUR STAND AS PATRIOTIC CSOs
1. Due Process is Ongoing: The allegations remain under investigation, and it is reckless to hastily pass judgment before any court pronouncement.

2. Zero-Tolerance for Corruption by the Administration: The government has strengthened public procurement, treasury management, and digital payments to reduce malpractices.

3. Isolated Allegations, Not Government Policy: The acts of a few individuals under probe cannot be generalised to indict an entire administration.

4. On Development and Partnerships: Contrary to claims of lost confidence, Kano continues to attract investors and international partners in agriculture, education, and infrastructure.

The 87 groups further explained that, genuine CSOs should pursue fairness, patriotism, and fact-based advocacy rather than unverified claims that weaken democracy.

“CSOs, NGOs and CBOs operating in Kano State should utilise available accountability platforms and networks in the state covering various sectors (education, health, environment, budget etc.) to transparently engage state government and it’s institutions”

The group then called on the good people of Kano State to remain calm, discerning, and not be swayed by desperate attempts to create panic and distrust in governance.

“We urge the anti-graft agencies to continue their constitutional duties without fear or favour, but equally without yielding to media sensationalism or political manipulation”

“We advise civil society platforms in Kano to embrace responsible engagement, guided by facts and constructive partnership with government rather than partisan-driven activism”.

“We reaffirm our support for the government’s reforms and urge all citizens to join hands in preserving peace, stability, and development in Kano State”

It explained that, Kano State is not “at a crossroads” as sensationally claimed, but rather, the state is on a clear path of reform, modernization, and inclusive development under a leadership committed to transparency and accountability. No amount of blackmail or propaganda will derail the vision for a prosperous and united Kano.

“It is important to note that the so-called League of CSOs Coalition has demonstrated an inability to properly coordinate itself. This is evident as two or more individuals have openly issued disclaimers, stating that they were not part of the press release and have dissociated themselves from it.”

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The Patriotic Coalition of Civil Society Organisations therefore rejects the biased and politically motivated statement of the League of CSOs and reaffirms its commitment to defending truth, justice, and the collective interest of the people of Kano State”.

Below are the groups that endorsed this position

S/N
Name
Organization

1
Farouk Umar
Citizens for Development and Education (CDE)

2
Peter Hassan Tijani
Network for Empowerment and Development Initiative (NEDIN)

3
Yahaya A. Yahaya
National association of persons with physical disabilities Kano Chapter (NAPWPD)

4
Hassan Ibrahim Gama.
Masses First International Organization -MFI

5
Wali Ado Rano
Voice of the Hopeful Enlightenment and Development Initiative (VOHEDI)

6
Nworisa Michael
Stand For Peace Initiative

7
Dr. Kabir Hamisu Kura.
Community Development Initiative

8
Rakiya Abba Tahula
Interfaith Peace Foundation

9
Dr. Ramatu Garba
Support for Women and Teenage Children (SWATCH)

10
Maimuna Umar Sheriff
Centre for Gender Base Violence Advocacy

11
Ahmad Tijjani
Alkali Ahmad Center For Development

12
Ibrahim Muhammed
Rural – Urban Slums Development Initiative (RUSDI)

13
Abubakar Shariff Jaddah
Society for Women and Child Health Initiative (SWACHI)

14
Saratu I. Maigida
Lifeline Initiative For Widows Empowerment and Economic Development (LIWEED)

15
Ali Suleiman
Friends of the Community Organization (FOCO)

16
Halima Titi Bello
Women Gender Developers (WOGEND)

17
Dr. Yahaya Danjuma
International Peace and Secure Society (IPSS)

18
Safayanu Bichi
Kano Budget Working Group

19
Mustapha Muhammed Chiroma
Community Rights Initiative of Nigeria (CORIN)

20
Abdulrahman Uba Daushe
Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN)

21
Rakiya Ladi Musa
Ansar Women Development

22
Sabo Bello Madaki
Kiru Community Development Association

23
Sunusi Hashimu
Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment (SOCSEE)

24
Samaila Namadi Ahmad
Yadfulde kiru local government Association and development

25
Asaju KolawoleKola
Kola and Funke Care Foundation

26
Ruth Stephen
Touch and Care Foundation (TOCAF)

27
Bashir A Bashir
Diamond Youth For Community Development

28
Salisu Gambo Ditol
Youth mobilization by media

29
Dr. Auwalu Halilu
Non-formal Development for Education and Health Initiatives ( NDEHI)

30
Dr. Tanimu Adam Ibrahim
Gwarzo Initiative Forum

31
Ola Taiwo
Mari-Care Foundation for Widows, Single Parents, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Nigeria. (MARI-CARE)

32
Suleiman Idris
Northern Youth Assembly

33
Mohammed Hussaini
Nigerian Democracy Working Group

34
Haj. Aisha Ahmed Abdulkadir (Dangi)
Sustainable Diana mic and Human Development Initiative

35
Gharzali Ibrahim Ungogo
Ummatee Centre for the Promotion of Public Education, Accountability and Social Safety (Ummatee-C4PASS) –

36
Rabi Yusuf Gezawa MON
Center For Empowerment Of Older Persons And The Vulnerable (CEOPAV)- Formally know as GADIAC

37
Mustapha Muhammed
Social Awareness and Community Development Initiative (SACDI Nigeria)

38
Prof Muhammad Bello Shitu
Inclusive Community Education and Development Association ( ICEADA)

39
Ismail Kanye
KABO Local Government Development Forum

40
Bello Karaye
Karaye Initiative Forum

41
Sani Bello Madaki
Kiru Community Development Association

42
Hassan Musa Yaro
Cardinal and Development Support Initiative

43
Maimuna Shu’aibu
Muna Helping Hand Foundation

44
Aisha Halliru
Halliru Memorial Youth Development and Empowerment initiative (AYDI)

45
Yusuf Muhammad Anas
Dawaki Youth Network for Better Tomorrow Initiatives

46
Abdurrashid Salisu Baba
Tsakuwa Mu Farka Development Association

47
Umaima Muhammad.
Aminci Multipurpose Development Association.

48
Hassan Jibril
Gano Development Association

49
Nusaibatu Muhammad
Iyayen Giji Development Association.

50
Adamu Balarabe Sarbi
Sarbi Development Association

51
Abdurrazak Ayuba usaini
Minjbir East Community Development Association(Mecda)

52
Zubairu Bala
Kwarkiya Youth Mobilization Forum

53
Ismaila Abdullahi
Gidan Kankara City Community

54
Audu Saidu
Mu Tallafi Juna Kadawa (B) Gwale Local Government

55
Umar Iliyasu Madobi
Madobi Youth Development Forum

56
Nura Lambu
Tofa Youth Development Forum

57
Shehu Isah
Gajida Youth Development Associations

58
Abdulaziz Habibu Bello
Yanoko Youth Development Association

59
Suleiman Lawan
Gulu Community Development Association

60
Ubale Yusuf
Kofar Gabas Development Association

61
Dalhatu Jibrin Dalhatu
Karaye Initiative Forum

62
Abubakar Auwal Ahmad
Diso Self Help Group ( DISHEG) Gwale Local Government

63
Murtala Muhd Rabiu
Hannu Dayawa Youth development Association Bachirawa – Ungogo Local Govt

64
Habibu Barau Ruwantsa
Ruwantsa Youth Development Association, Dambatta

65
Sulaiman Yusuf Maitama
Dambatta Reporters

66
Kabiru Balarabe Dambatta
Dambatta Academic Forum

67
Auwal Idris Dorayi
Center for Peace and Environmental Justice CEPEJ

68
Garba Lawan
Rano Development Association

69
Adamu Umar
Rano Youth Enlightenment Forum

70
Auwal Ayuba
Toranke Educational care & support Association.

71
Aminu Sa’ad
Consolidated Ajingi Development Association.

72
Saminu Yusha’u Chula
Chula Area Development Association.

73
Abdullahi Madaki
Kunkurawa Youth Development

74
Sunusi Garba Shehu Gajale
Kafin maiyaki Community Development Association (KACODA), Kiru Local Government Area.

75
Ahmad Tahir
Doguwa Tailoring association.

76
Abdulrazaq Ado Zango
Kano Initiatives Of Persons With Special Needs (KIPSN)

77
Dr. Mustapha Mukhatar
Danbatta Development Forum (DDF)

78
Sani Shuaib Rogo
Rogo Concern Citizens

79
Amb. Abbas Abdullahi
Beyond Border Alliance (BBA)

80
Khadija Shehu Muhammed
Save the Future Initiative (SAFI)

81
Abubakar Abdulkadir
One Voice Development Initiative (OVID)

82
Lami Bako Yakasai
Enlightenment And Empowerment Of Northern Women Initiative

83
Solomon Samuel
Mercy Helpline Initiative

84
Barr. Mustapha Idris
Human Right and Community initiative. Contact person

85
Khadija A. Muhammad
Nana Aisha Development Initiative (NADI)

86
Isyaku Ahmad
Voice And Accountability Platform (VAP)

87
Bashir Adamu Jigirya
Participatory Learning and Action for Community Ownership (PLACO)

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Jonathan Urges National Assembly to Overhaul Electoral Litigation Process, Create Specialised Court

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Good Luck Ebele Jonathan

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the National Assembly to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral litigation process by establishing a specialised constitutional court to handle election disputes.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the 70th birthday and book launch of Senator Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East), Mr. Jonathan argued that a dedicated court would reduce the strain on the political system by resolving election-related cases in a single phase.

He criticised the current three-tier system for governorship disputes—moving from a tribunal to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court—as ineffective and unnecessarily prolonged.

Recalling a landmark case from 2011, Jonathan highlighted how technicalities have historically undermined electoral justice. “I remember a particular case where someone lost an election as a governor because the law then stipulated the use of red ink to tick voters’ names,” he said.

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“In an entire senatorial district, they were not provided with red pens and used available black or green pens. As a result, those votes were cancelled. The Appeal Court upheld this, even though the lower tribunal felt that a tick is a tick.”

While acknowledging that the National Assembly later amended the law to allow governorship cases to reach the Supreme Court—specifically to prevent such injustices—Jonathan noted that the amendment failed to address the length of the litigation process.

The former president urged Nigeria to draw lessons from Francophone African countries, which employ specialised constitutional courts for political matters. He proposed that if the Supreme Court must remain the final arbiter for governorship elections, the lower tribunal stage should be eliminated entirely.

“I believe the ideal thing to do, which I was considering when I was in office, was to make sure that it’s only one tribunal that listens to any litigation relating to politics. This is done, especially in the Francophone countries in Africa. They have constitutional courts. Anything about elections, only the constitutional courts take decisions,” Jonathan explained.

He also challenged the judiciary to exercise firmness in its rulings, drawing an analogy to football. “Politics is like soccer, and the judges are the referees. If the referee looks the other way, players will break legs or score with their hands,” he added.

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ADC Defies INEC, Vows to Proceed with Congresses Amid Leadership Crisis

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared it will go ahead with its scheduled congresses and national convention, defying the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to suspend recognition of the party’s leadership.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, insisted that the ADC has fulfilled all legal requirements, having formally notified the electoral body of its planned events.

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“We will go ahead with our congresses. We have given INEC 21 days’ notice, they have accepted. Whether they come or not, we will continue with our congresses and our convention,” Abdullahi said during an interview on Arise TV.

His remarks come just days after INEC announced it would withhold recognition of the ADC’s leadership pending the outcome of a court case related to an internal dispute within the party.

The standoff sets the stage for a potential clash between the electoral commission and the opposition party, raising fresh questions about party governance, internal democracy, and the legal limits of INEC’s oversight powers in Nigeria.

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ADC Rejects INEC’s Ruling Interpretation, Vows to Clarify Contradictions

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its interpretation of a recent Court of Appeal statement, alleging that the commission has abandoned its neutrality by siding with the federal government.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, rejected INEC’s position, describing it as “contradictory and inconsistent with facts.” The party claimed that INEC was acting under pressure from a government it characterized as “jittery” due to the ADC’s growing momentum.

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“We reject INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling,” the statement read. “We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC’s rising momentum even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties.”

The ADC accused the electoral commission of caving to political pressure, asserting that it has effectively chosen to align with the government against the Nigerian people. The party vowed to publicly clarify what it called the contradictions in INEC’s statement.

According to the release, the ADC is currently reviewing its legal and political options and will announce its next steps in the coming days. The party urged its members and the public to remain steadfast.

“We are currently reviewing our options, and we shall make these known soon. Meanwhile, we call on our members and all Nigerians to remain steadfast as they await further directives,” the statement concluded, adding the slogans: “Nigeria is rising. ADC is rising.”

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