Kano CSO Reject Allegations Against State Government, Accuse Rival Group of Partisan Motives
A coalition of 87 Civil Society Organizations in Kano State, under the aegis of the Patriotic Coalition of Civil Society Organisations , has vehemently rejected recent corruption allegations made against the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, labeling them as “premature, misleading, and politically motivated.”
The rebuke comes in response to a press statement issued on August 23, 2025, by a group identifying itself as the League of Civil Society Organisations in Kano State.
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In a detailed counter-statement signed by its Convener, Hassan Ibrahim Gama, and Co-convener, Mustapha Muhammed Chiroma, the PCCSOs accused the League of abandoning neutrality and acting as a “propaganda arm of the political opposition.”
The central argument from the 87-group coalition hinges on the principle of due process. They emphasized that the corruption cases referenced by the League are still under active investigation by agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (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,” the statement read, reaffirming the legal principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
Contrary to what they called a “narrative of systemic rot,” the patriotic coalition pointed to concrete reforms implemented by the Yusuf administration to promote accountability. These include:
* Full compliance with external audits and fiscal reporting.
* Adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to reduce financial leakages.
* Establishment of procurement monitoring units and anti-corruption desks across various government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The coalition however expressed deep concern that “reckless and alarmist statements risk scaring away investors, demoralising public servants, and undermining the developmental gains already being achieved in the state.”
Instead of what they termed “media blackmail,” the PCCSOs urged all civic groups to utilize existing official accountability platforms and networks in sectors like education, health, and budget to engage with the government transparently and constructively.
They noted that the state government has maintained an “open door policy” for genuine civil society actors.
The 87 CSOs called on the people of Kano to remain calm and discerning, urging them not to be swayed by “desperate attempts to create panic and distrust in governance.”
They concluded by reaffirming their support for the government’s reforms, stating: “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 this vision.”
The statement was endorsed by a wide array of organizations, including Citizens for Development and Education , Kano Budget Working Group, Center for Gender-Based Violence Advocacy, and numerous community development associations from across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas.