Civil society league slams Kano govt’s ‘ill-advised’ NGO profiling

The League of Civil Society Organizations in Kano State has criticized the State Government’s recent decision to establish a committee tasked with profiling non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the state.

SolaceBase reports that the organization called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to immediately rescind the initiative, arguing that it was ill-advised and potentially unconstitutional.

The Executive Director, Comrade Bala Gaduwama, disclosed this on Saturday at a news conference held in Kano.

Gaduwama expressed concerns over the government’s move, describing it as a deliberate attempt to stifle independent voices and control civil society activities.

“This initiative is not only a duplication of existing regulatory frameworks but also a potential threat to the constitutional rights of freedom of association and expression.

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“We strongly urge the Kano State Government to reconsider this move and engage in meaningful dialogue with civil society organizations,” Gaduwama stated.

The league also condemned the appointment of Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, as the head of the NGO Profiling Committee.

They alleged that his past involvement with the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF) and the unresolved legal disputes surrounding his tenure raise serious concerns regarding his impartiality and commitment to transparency.

According to the league, Hon. Waiya’s leadership history with KCSF was marred by controversies, including allegations of financial mismanagement and failure to conduct democratic elections for over seven years.

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His current position, they argue, poses a clear conflict of interest and calls into question the legitimacy of the committee’s oversight functions.

The League of Civil Society Organizations further highlighted the dangers of granting the committee sweeping powers to investigate funding sources, assess operational methods, and potentially shut down NGOs.

They emphasized that such measures could create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty within the sector, discouraging advocacy and humanitarian efforts in the state.

“Placing an individual with such a controversial background at the helm of this committee undermines the government’s commitment to accountability and good governance.

“This appointment is a serious misstep that risks eroding public trust and damaging Kano State’s civil society sector,” the league asserted.

In their demands, the organization called for the immediate dissolution of the committee, a reaffirmation of the independence of NGOs, and a transparent dialogue between the government and civil society actors.

They also stressed the need for the government to respect existing regulatory mechanisms rather than duplicating oversight bodies that waste resources.

The league vowed to continue mobilizing public awareness and engaging in advocacy efforts to protect the operational space of NGOs in Kano State.

They urged concerned citizens and stakeholders to join them in resisting what they described as an “ill-conceived initiative” that could hinder the development and service delivery efforts of civil society organizations.