A coalition of civil society organisations under the Kano Civil Society Alliance for Peaceful Politics (KCSAPP) has called for the immediate suspension of mass political rallies in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that rising political violence could plunge the state into chaos if urgent steps are not taken.
The group, which addressed journalists in Kano on Tuesday, expressed alarm over the growing activities of yan daba (political thugs), saying the trend threatens lives, property and the credibility of future elections.
Convener of the alliance, Mallam Abdullahi Muhammad, said politicians must not pursue their ambitions at the expense of innocent citizens.
“We cannot allow political ambition to be paid for in blood and fear by the citizens,” he declared.
Muhammad urged relevant authorities to suspend large political gatherings until a robust security framework is put in place to guarantee the safety of residents.
He said the call became necessary following what he described as a disturbing increase in politically motivated violence in communities such as Hotoro, Koki and Rimin Kebe.
“The scale of violence we have recorded is unacceptable. Politicians who sponsor and deploy yan daba must be identified and held accountable,” he said, while demanding independent investigations into recent violent incidents.
The briefing was attended by representatives of over a dozen civil society groups, including the Centre for Strategic Conflict Management and the Kano Youth Enlightenment Forum.
Also speaking, the alliance’s Secretary, Comrade Muhammad Auwal, said the coalition would step up civic education campaigns to encourage youths and women to reject political violence and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
“Our priority is to protect lives and ensure elections are conducted without intimidation or violence,” he said.
As an alternative to mass rallies, the coalition recommended town hall meetings, virtual campaigns, door-to-door mobilisation, community radio programmes, market outreach and targeted engagements with youths and women.
According to the group, these campaign strategies would allow political parties to reach voters while reducing the risk of violent clashes.
The alliance also called for the establishment of multi-stakeholder peace committees, stronger security presence in flashpoints and intensified efforts to disarm criminal gangs operating across the state.
It further urged the Kano State Government to complement security operations with youth empowerment programmes, including vocational training, job creation and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of political thuggery.
“Rehabilitation, employment opportunities and skills acquisition are essential to tackling the menace of yan daba,” Muhammad added.
While calling for tougher action against those behind political violence, the coalition commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his Kano First Agenda and ongoing efforts to improve security and development across the state.
The group also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the international community to support initiatives aimed at preventing electoral violence in Kano.
According to the coalition, peaceful elections in Kano remain crucial to the stability of northern Nigeria and the country at large.
