The Kano Civil Society Alliance for Peaceful Politics (KCSAPP) has called on politicians and state authorities to suspend large-scale political gatherings in Kano State until a credible security framework is established. The coalition warned that the current wave of politically motivated violence poses a direct threat to lives and to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Press Briefing and Demands
At a press briefing held in Kano on Tuesday, representatives from more than a dozen local civil society groups, including the Centre for Strategic Conflict Management and the Kano Youth Enlightenment Forum, made the demand. Convener Mallam Abdullahi Muhammad said the call followed a deeply alarming pattern of thuggery linked to political actors across the state.
“We cannot allow political ambition to be paid for in blood and fear by the citizens,” Muhammad said. He also called on authorities to investigate recent deadly clashes recorded in Hotoro, Koki, Rimin Kebe and several other areas. “The scale of violence we have recorded is unacceptable; politicians who fund and deploy yan 'daba must be held to account,” he added.
Safer Campaign Alternatives Proposed
Rather than opposing political engagement outright, the alliance outlined a set of alternatives for candidates to adopt in place of mass rallies. These include small and virtual town hall meetings, door-to-door community visits, market briefings, neighbourhood listening sessions, and targeted outreach programmes for youth and women. The group also recommended community radio as a channel for sustained voter education.
Alliance Secretary Comrade Muhammad Auwal said mobilising citizens, particularly young people and women, to reject violence and embrace non-violent political participation would be central to the coalition's activities leading up to the elections. “Our priority is to protect lives and ensure elections are free from intimidation,” he said.
Calls for Disarmament and Investigations
The coalition also called on state authorities and security agencies to intensify disarmament efforts, conduct targeted operations against armed gangs in identified hotspots, and accelerate rehabilitation and vocational training programmes for unemployed youth. “Rehabilitation, job creation and vocational training are essential to tackling the root causes of yan 'daba,” Muhammad noted, urging the Kano State Government to combine enforcement measures with sustained social interventions.
The group further demanded transparent, independent investigations into recent killings, expressing concern that many incidents remain unreported. While pressing for firmer action, the alliance acknowledged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's Kano First Agenda and commended recent security efforts under his administration. “We commend His Excellency's bold vision for Kano and urge him to continue to walk the talk by prioritizing citizen safety,” Muhammad said.
Appeal to INEC and International Community
The coalition also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security operatives, and the international community to intervene, warning that instability in Kano carries consequences that extend well beyond the state's borders. The alliance said it plans to roll out a series of civic education programmes across the state ahead of the 2027 polls.
