Jigawa Civil Society Forum denies coalition claim

Comr. Muhammad Musbahu Basirka, the Chairman of Jigawa Civil Society Forum, has distanced himself from a newly formed loose coalition known as the ‘Network for Jigawa Civil Society Organizations.’

The coalition recently claimed that Comr. Basirka had been duly elected to lead its Anti-corruption thematic areas, but he vehemently denies any association with the group.

In a counter statement issued to newsmen on July 26, 2023, Comr. Basirka expressed strong disapproval of the Network for Jigawa Civil Society Organizations and stated that he has no knowledge of their existence.

He emphasized that the group had not contacted him, and therefore, the claim of his election to lead the Anti-corruption thematic committee is entirely false and baseless.

The Chairman went on to reveal his suspicions about the motives behind the coalition’s actions, describing its members as “aggrieved politicians and civil servants” who are seeking relevance and possibly vengeance under the guise of civil organizations.

He urged the Government and the people of Jigawa State to see the coalition’s actions as an attempt to tarnish his reputation and create confusion.

Rather than aligning with the newly formed group, Comr. Basirka suggested that they join forces with the already established and recognized Jigawa Civil Society Forum.

He reiterated that Jigawa has only one formidable CSO’s forum, which is the Jigawa Civil Society Forum itself.

Comr. Muhammad Musbahu Basirka however, called on the Government and all well-meaning individuals to disregard the statement released by the Network for Jigawa Civil Society Organizations and to recognize the authenticity of the Jigawa Civil Society Forum as the true representative of civil society in the region.