The League of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kano State has rejected the recent nomination process introduced by the Kano State Open Government Partnership (OGP) Secretariat, describing it as unfair, flawed, and lacking credibility.
In a statement, the group said it was distancing itself from the process because it allegedly goes against the core principles of the Open Government Partnership, which require government and civil society groups to work together independently and transparently.
The League argued that civil society representatives in the OGP structure should emerge through an open and independent process driven by civil society groups themselves, not through what it described as a government-controlled arrangement.
According to the statement, “The League’s position is clear: the current process is flawed, exclusionary, and unacceptable.”
The group added that, “Any attempt to present it as a legitimate civil society selection mechanism is misleading and should be treated as such by the public, reform partners, and all stakeholders committed to accountable governance.”
The League said the Secretariat’s public call for nominations has raised serious concerns because it appears to place the government at the centre of a process that should belong to civil society organisations.
It explained that once government begins to “shape, filter, or administratively manage the selection of non-state actors, the distinction between co-creation and control collapses.”
The CSOs further claimed that several warnings and recommendations had previously been given to the Secretariat to ensure transparency and independence, but were allegedly ignored.
“The present crisis did not emerge overnight,” the statement said, adding that the situation resulted from “repeated warnings, professional counsel, and stakeholder engagement that the Kano State OGP Secretariat appears to have ignored or discounted.”
The League accused the Secretariat of creating the impression that it “proceed[s] first and consult[s] later,” saying such an approach contradicts OGP standards on participation and stakeholder engagement.
As a result, the group announced that it would no longer take part in the current process.
“The League’s position is explicit: it does not recognize the present nomination and thematic lead selection process as a credible reflection of civil society self-determination,” the statement said.
The organisation warned that the controversy could damage the credibility of the Kano State OGP Steering Committee and weaken public trust in governance reforms in the state.
It also cautioned that the dispute could affect Kano’s reputation within the wider OGP community if the state is seen as failing to protect the independence of civil society groups.
The League called for the immediate suspension and review of the nomination process and demanded a fresh exercise that would be transparent, inclusive, and led by civil society organisations.
“The League of CSOs in Kano State remains committed to open government, but it will not compromise on the principles that make open government real,” the statement added.
The statement was endorsed by more than 20 civil society organisations and activists in Kano State.
