By Mohammed Bello
This is a timely and well-reasoned intervention, Comrade. As a stakeholder who has deeply invested in the institutional integrity of the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), I believe your observations deserve serious reflection, particularly from a reform-oriented standpoint.
For any civic space to remain functional and resilient, I believe it must be anchored on the tripod of objectivity, transparency, and accountability. Once these pillars are weakened, the moral authority of the sector to demand the same standards from the state is also weakened. In my view, this is why the current discussion within the KCSF should not be treated as a mere internal disagreement, but as a test of the forum’s institutional maturity and ethical discipline.
I agree with you that internal power struggles often begin to overshadow public service when accountability structures are weak. In the global civic ecosystem, the strongest organizations are those that operate within clear accountability standards. To me, accountability should not only be downward to donors, but also horizontal to peers and upward to the values and principles that define the civic mission itself. I also believe that leadership crises are best resolved when succession rules and internal bylaws are clearly defined and strictly followed. Where such rules exist and are respected, disputes are easier to manage and less likely to damage the broader institution.
I also see objectivity as a necessary shield against political capture. The concern you raised about perceived political alignment is not a minor issue; it is one of the greatest threats to KCSF and its aspiration. For the civic space to retain its credibility, CSOs must preserve a non-partisan identity and avoid actions that create the impression that the forum has been captured by factional or political interests. In my opinion, the Kano Civil Society Forum must remain a referee in public discourse, not a player aligned to any side. If that balance is lost, public trust will erode quickly.
I further believe that transparency must be central to any reconciliation effort. Reconciliation cannot be reduced to a private meeting among a few influential people behind closed doors. It must be open, documented, and accountable to the broader membership. Transparency is the best antidote to allegations and counter-allegations, because it creates a shared basis for trust. If respected elders or state actors are to play a role, I think their intervention should be guided by a clear mediation framework that is understood by all parties and communicated to the wider forum. That way, the process is seen not as interference, but as structured and legitimate facilitation.
On the question of moving forward, I strongly believe litigation should not be the first or only option. While legal action remains a valid right, it often produces a zero-sum outcome that deepens divisions and weakens collective energy. In my view, the civic sector should give greater priority to mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. A council of peers or an independent mediation arrangement would better preserve relationships while still addressing grievances fairly. This approach would allow the sector to focus more on advocacy, coordination, and public-interest work rather than prolonged internal battles.
Finally, I share your view that statesmanship is the most viable path forward. If the Kano Civil Society Forum is to truly honour the spirit of “Kano First,” then our internal processes must reflect radical transparency, while our external engagements must be guided by unwavering objectivity. I believe the civic space is a public trust, not private property. We are only temporary custodians of it, and the responsibility before us is to protect it with integrity, restraint, and mutual respect. Rebuilding the KCSF will require us to put mission above mandate, and reconciliation above supremacy. As the saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine, but only when the thread is integrity.
Mohammed Bello
*Development Research and Policy Specialist*
African Centre for Innovative Research and Development (AFRI-CIRD)
