CSOs condemn Kano govt’s move to silence NGOs through regulation

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have strongly opposed the Kano State Government’s recent establishment of a committee to profile and regulate non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the state, describing the move as draconian and unconstitutional.

On Thursday, 18 reputable CSOs signed a statement voicing their grave concerns over the committee’s broad mandate and the perceived threat it poses to civil society’s independence.

They argued that the initiative is a thinly veiled attempt to stifle independent voices and control civic space.

According to them, the development is ill-advised, potentially unconstitutional, and ultimately detrimental to the vibrant and essential work of civil society in Kano State.

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They fear that the committee, with its sweeping powers and questionable leadership, seeks to silence critical voices and undermine advocacy efforts.

SolaceBase reports that the committee’s responsibilities include profiling NGOs, investigating funding sources, assessing operational methods, recommending regulatory frameworks, and even shutting down NGO offices.

The Civil society groups warned that such extensive powers are open to abuse and could lead to arbitrary crackdowns on organizations working in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and human rights.

Furthermore, they highlighted the vagueness of the government’s justification for the initiative, which is framed as aligning NGO activities with the state’s vision and development goals and Kano’s moral and religious values.

The groups argued that these undefined criteria create an environment of fear and uncertainty, discouraging meaningful engagement between civil society and the government.

They also drew parallels to a similar attempt at the federal level in 2017, which was abandoned due to widespread opposition.

They noted that existing laws and regulations, including the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and the Nigeria Open Government Partnership (OGP), already provide adequate oversight for NGOs, making the committee redundant and unnecessary.

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According to the groups, a significant point of contention is the appointment of Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, as the committee’s chairperson.

The groups raised concerns over his past leadership of the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), which was marked by controversies, financial opacity, and ongoing litigation with the organization’s Board of Trustees.

They stated that Waiya’s tenure as Interim Management Committee President of KCSF was marred by misconduct and financial mismanagement, adding that his refusal to provide financial accounts or release critical documents raises serious questions about his suitability to oversee NGO operations.

The civil society groups are calling for the immediate dissolution of the committee, urging the Kano State Government to disband it and cease all activities related to NGO profiling and regulation.

They demand that the government publicly affirm its commitment to civil society autonomy and create an enabling environment for their operations, ensure transparency and accountability in governance, avoid appointments that could compromise public trust, and engage in open dialogue with NGOs instead of making unilateral decisions.

They also insist that the government must respect constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of association and expression.

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The statement concluded with a commitment to mobilizing public awareness, engaging in advocacy, and collaborating with national and international stakeholders to protect civic space in Kano State.

The civil society organizations that signed the statement include the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), the Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative (IWEI), the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), the Adolescent Health Information Project (AHIP), the Democratic Action Group (DAG), the Women in Media Development Initiative (WIMDI), the United Action for Democracy (UAD) Kano, the Youth and Environmental Development Association (YEDA).

Others include the Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN), the African Centre for Innovative Research and Development (AFRI-CIRD), the Rule of Law and Justice Advancement Network, the Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), the Civil Society Organisation for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN), the National Council for Child Rights Advocates of Nigeria, the Centre for Awareness on Good Governance and Development, and the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.