Two prominent civil society leaders in Kano have publicly dissociated themselves from a recent statement credited to a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that demanded the suspension and prosecution of top state government officials over alleged corruption running into billions of naira.
The coalition, which claimed to have over 20 signatories, had on Sunday called for immediate action against senior officials linked to separate corruption cases under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
But in swift reactions, Comrade Sani Ibrahim Na-rogo and Muhammad Yahaya, popularly known as Sabo Lazy, issued disclaimers denying any association with the publication.
Na-rogo, in a statement personally signed and circulated in Kano, said his name was wrongly included among the coalition members.
“I am not a party to the said litigation or publication. I have not given my consent or authorization for my name, image, or identity to be linked with the activities of the said coalition in this regard. Any attempt to associate me with such action is without my knowledge or approval,” he declared.
On his part, Yahaya, who is also the founder of the Youth Empowerment and Human Development Initiative (YEHDI) and a registered member of the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), described the coalition’s action as unauthorized.
“I have not granted any consent or authorization for my name or that of my organization to be linked or associated with the activities of the said coalition.
Any attempt to associate me or my organization with such actions is unauthorized, without my knowledge, and entirely without my consent,” Yahaya said in his disclaimer.
The two civil society figures stressed that neither they nor their organizations should be held responsible or connected with the coalition’s statement, which cited corruption allegations involving more than ₦ 6 billion.
Their disclaimers have raised questions about the authenticity of the coalition’s claim of widespread CSO backing, and whether due process was followed in compiling the list of signatories.
