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The Kano Civil Society Alliance for Peaceful Politics (KCSAPP) has called for the temporary suspension of large political rallies in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that escalating political violence poses a serious threat to lives, property and the credibility of the electoral process.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Kano on Tuesday, the coalition expressed concern over the increasing activities of yan daba (political thugs), saying the trend could undermine peaceful elections if urgent preventive measures are not taken.
Convener of the alliance, Mallam Abdullahi Muhammad, said political ambition must never come at the expense of the safety of citizens.
“We cannot allow political ambition to be paid for in blood and fear by the citizens,” he said.
He urged authorities to suspend mass political rallies until a comprehensive security framework is established to guarantee public safety.
According to him, the group’s position is informed by a disturbing rise in politically motivated violence across several parts of Kano, including 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,” Muhammad stated, while calling for independent investigations into the recent incidents.
The briefing was attended by representatives of more than a dozen civil society organisations, 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 intensify civic education campaigns aimed at encouraging young people and women to reject political violence and embrace peaceful participation 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 smaller town hall meetings, virtual engagements, door-to-door campaigns, community radio programmes, market outreach and targeted interactions with youth and women.
According to the alliance, these campaign methods would enable candidates to reach voters while reducing the risk of violent confrontations.
The group also advocated the establishment of multi-stakeholder peace committees, a stronger security presence in identified flashpoints and intensified efforts to disarm criminal gangs.
It further urged the Kano State Government to complement security operations with youth empowerment initiatives, including vocational training, job creation and rehabilitation programmes to address the root causes of political thuggery.
“Rehabilitation, employment opportunities and skills acquisition are essential to tackling the menace of yan daba,” Muhammad noted.
While calling for stronger action against perpetrators of political violence, the alliance commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his Kano First Agenda and recent efforts to improve security and drive development across the state.
“We commend His Excellency’s vision for Kano and encourage him to sustain efforts aimed at protecting lives and strengthening community-based security initiatives,” the convener said.
The coalition also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the international community to support efforts aimed at preventing electoral violence in Kano.
It stressed that ensuring peaceful elections in the state is critical to the stability of northern Nigeria and the country as a whole.
The alliance concluded by urging residents to actively participate in its planned peace and civic education programmes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
