A coalition of civil society organisations in Kano State has raised concerns over alleged intimidation and harassment of its members following their demand for the suspension of some government officials facing corruption allegations.
Operating under the banner of the League of Civil Society Organizations in Kano State, the group said in a statement made available to Kano Times on Saturday that its members had been under pressure since they asked the state government to suspend indicted officials pending the outcome of investigations.
“Since the release of that statement, some of our members have come under intense pressure, harassment, and outright threats from influential individuals and vested interests determined to silence our collective voice,” the coalition alleged.
It recalled that on August 23, a coalition of 20 CSOs had urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to demonstrate commitment to transparency by asking indicted officials to step aside until they were cleared.
The group cited the ongoing probe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into the alleged diversion of N1.02bn involving the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Sani Lawan Malumfashi, alongside the Commission’s Secretary, Anas Mustapha, and a Deputy Director, Ado Garba.
It also referenced allegations against the Director-General of Protocol at Government House, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, accused of siphoning N6.5bn through proxies and bureau de change operators.
According to the coalition, two of its members had already been coerced into withdrawing their stance after sustained intimidation of their families.
“This worrisome development clearly points to an orchestrated attempt to weaken civil society’s role as watchdogs of democracy and accountability in Kano State,” it said.
The CSOs held the police, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies responsible for the safety of their members, warning that any attack on them should be traced to “powerful individuals and their collaborators within the system.”
They stressed that their demand was not a witch-hunt but “a universally accepted governance practice in line with the principles of rule of law, public trust, and administrative fairness.”
“Civil society organisations will not be cowed. The bedrock of democracy is the ability of citizens and civic groups to hold leaders accountable without fear of persecution,” the statement read.
The coalition urged Governor Yusuf to reassure the public by ensuring indicted officials step aside until cleared, while also calling on the media, human rights groups, and the international community to stand in solidarity with them.
“No amount of threats, coercion, or blackmail will deter us from standing for the truth, defending the public interest, and ensuring a better Kano,” the group declared.
