The League of Civil Society Organizations in Kano State acknowledges the recent public announcement issued by the Kano State Open Government Partnership (OGP) Secretariat inviting participation in the election of Non-State Actors to the State Steering Committee.
While we commend the State Government’s commitment to institutionalizing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, we find it necessary to provide a critical technical review of the proposed election procedures.
To ensure that the process produces a Steering Committee that is not only competent but also credible and legitimate in line with the Global OGP Participation and Co-creation Standards and the Nigeria National OGP Handbook, the League has identified significant procedural gaps requiring urgent remedial action.
Key observations and concerns:
- Conflict of interest in the screening process
The current announcement indicates that the OGP Secretariat, housed within the Ministry for Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, will review submissions and determine eligibility.
This arrangement raises a fundamental concern. Under Global OGP Standard 1.1, the selection of Civil Society representatives must be “fair, transparent, and led by Civil Society.”
When a government-hosted secretariat determines the eligibility of its own oversight actors, it creates a clear conflict of interest and risks the perception of state-captured civil society.
In line with the Nigeria National OGP Handbook, the League calls for the immediate establishment of an Independent CSO Selection Committee, composed of respected civil society leaders and neutral observers (including representatives of the National OGP Secretariat), to oversee accreditation.
- Exclusionary physical-only submission requirement
The requirement for physical submission at the Ministry on Magajin Rumfa Road presents a significant barrier to participation, particularly for Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) in distant Local Government Areas such as Doguwa and Tudun Wada.
This approach contradicts the OGP principle of broad-based participation and undermines inclusivity. Hence, we strongly recommend the introduction of a secure digital submission portal; or a dedicated official email channel.
This will ensure equitable access and enable meaningful participation from grassroots organizations across the state.
- Risky voting modalities
The proposed voting methods, open ballot, consensus, or show of hands, raise concerns regarding transparency and voter independence.
While consensus-building is commendable, a show of hands in a competitive electoral process may expose voters to undue influence, intimidation, or conformity pressures.
Global best practices favour the use of secret ballots to safeguard voter autonomy and ensure that elected representatives genuinely reflect collective choice.
The League therefore calls for the adoption of a secret ballot system for all contested positions.
- Lack of enforceable inclusivity measures
Although the announcement references gender balance and sectoral representation, it lacks concrete mechanisms to guarantee these outcomes.
The National OGP Framework emphasises that the Steering Committee must reflect the state’s diversity. However, a generic mention of “fairness” often results in male-dominated committees.
We therefore recommend a minimum 35% quota for women-led organisations; and a reserved seat for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
This will ensure that inclusivity becomes a measurable standard rather than a symbolic aspiration.
- Ambiguity in the “non-partisan” requirement
The requirement that nominees be “non-partisan” is commendable but insufficiently defined.
Without clear parameters, such as a cooling-off period (e.g., two years since holding political office), this criterion becomes subjective and vulnerable to manipulation.
We recommend that nominees should be required to sign a Conflict-of-Interest Declaration as part of their “Nomination Package”, swearing that they do not hold active leadership roles in any political party.
To this end, the League of CSOs wishes to be clear: We celebrate this milestone. The fact that Kano State is moving toward a formal election for the OGP leads is a testament to the progress made by the OGP Secretariat.
We particularly appreciate the inclusion of Media and Professional Bodies, which are vital to the OGP’s success. However, OGP is built on the foundation of radical transparency.
If the process of selecting the “watchdogs” is flawed, the reforms they oversee will be viewed with scepticism.
Strategic reform proposals:
The League of CSOs emphasizes that the legitimacy of the incoming Steering Committee rests not on the outcome of the election, but on the integrity of the process.
To transition from a government-led selection to a true co-creation model, we call on the Kano State OGP Secretariat to adopt the following three strategic reforms:
- Temporal Flexibility for Digital Equity: Extend the nomination deadline by at least seven (7) working days and introduce a digital submission platform.
Physical-only submission constitutes a form of administrative exclusion and disproportionately disadvantages rural-based organisations. This reform aligns with OGP Participation Standard 1.3 on proactive inclusion.
- Structural Autonomy, Independent Selection Committee (ISC): Convene an urgent stakeholder meeting to transfer screening authority to an Independent Selection Committee.
Allowing the Executive (through the Secretariat) to determine the eligibility of civil society actors creates a closed feedback loop that favours compliance over accountability.
Adopting models such as Kaduna State’s OGP framework, where independent CSOs lead the vetting process, will significantly enhance credibility.
- Objective Standardisation Through a Transparent Scoring Rubric: The Independent Selection Committee should develop and publish a clear, weighted evaluation framework for candidate selection.
This rubric should include:
(a) Thematic Experience: Demonstrated engagement in State Action Plan priority areas. (b) Financial Accountability: Evidence of audited accounts or financial reporting over three years. (c) Constituency Reach: Proof of membership base or community engagement.
Conclusion
The eyes of the Global OGP community, the Open Government Support Unit in Washington, and the National Secretariat in Abuja are fixed on Kano.
This election process represents a crossroads: we can either perform a “Check-the-Box” exercise that yields a compliant committee, or we can build a robust, independent, and resilient partnership that serves as the Gold Standard for West Africa.
The League of CSOs remains a committed partner in the Kano State project. We are ready to work, we are ready to build, but we insist that we build on the bedrock of transparency.
Let us ensure that the “Open” in Open Government Partnership begins with the very process of choosing its leaders.
Endorsed By:
- Comrade Bala Abdullahi Gaduwama – Wuro Development Concerns (WDCN)
- Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Esq. – Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN)
- Mohammed Bello – African Centre for Innovative Research and Development (AFRI-CIRD)
- Abdullahi Y. Sule – Youth and Environmental Development Association (YEDA)
- Abdulkadir Musa Hausawa – Youth Enlightenment Forum
- Adeniyi Aremu, Esq. – Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN)
- Sani Ilyas Abdullahi, Esq. – Joint Action Front (JAF), Kano State
- Comrade Fatima A. Ibrahim – United Action for Democracy (UAD), Kano State
- Comrade Khadija Hudu A. – Justice, Accountability and Rights Advocacy Centre
- Comrade Moh’d Sani Garba – Pay it Forward Initiative
- Fatima Muhammad – Gender Inclusive and Development Support Initiative, Kano
- Aminu Sani Muhammad, Esq. – Rule of Law and Justice Advancement Network (ROLJAN)
- Comrade M. K. Adam – Societal-Based Initiative for Rights, Peace and Development (SOBIRPED)
- Fatima Ibrahim Badamasi – Gender Support and Youth Empowerment Initiative (GENSAYE)
- Buhari Abubakar Usman – Centre for Legal Orientation and Humanitarian Aid (CELOHA)
- Abdullahi Yahaya, Esq. – Publish What You Pay (PWYP), Kano State
- Comrade Auwal Salisu – Centre for Awareness Reorientation and Empowerment (CARE-Africa)
- Umar Isa Sulaiman, Esq. – Frontier for Gender Advocacy, Accountability & Empowerment Initiative.
- Maryam Garba Usman – Centre for Gender and Social Inclusion (CAGSI)
- Fatima Chabir Aliyu, Esq. – Community-Based Equal Justice Initiative
- Comrade Salisu Ibrahim Sa’eed – Kano Youth Integrity Forum
- Comrade Baraya Garba Hassan – Centre for Education, Health and Entrepreneurship Development (CEHED), Nigeria.
- Abba Bello Ahmed – Campaign for Democracy (CD), Kano State
