The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has dissociated itself from a group led by one Ibrahim Yakubu, which falsely claimed to represent the organisation in a recent publication.
The group was referenced in an article published on March 24, 2025, by Daily Post titled “Zamfara: Gov Lawal Under Fire Over Alleged Anti-Democratic Actions Against Assembly Members.” The report attributed statements to Yakubu’s group, suggesting it was affiliated with CDD-West Africa.
In a press briefing by the Director, Dr. Dauda Garuba, on Thursday, CDD-West Africa categorically denied any connection with Yakubu or his group, describing the claims as misleading and an attempt to misrepresent the organisation’s mission and stance on democratic governance.
It further clarified its recent stance on governance issues, referencing a statement issued on March 20, 2025, in which it strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The organisation argued that such measures undermine democratic processes and warned against the abuse of emergency powers.
Dauda also expressed concerns that the impersonation not only misrepresents its views but also erodes public trust in its work.
He said, “As a respected think tank, we categorically state that this group is in no way affiliated with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa.
“It is, therefore, inconsistent and entirely false to suggest that the same organisation would now support a state of emergency in Zamfara State.
“This impersonation is misleading and unacceptable as it misrepresents our mission and undermines public trust.
“We are considering legal and regulatory steps to address this issue, while we engage with relevant authorities to protect our institutional identity.” He added
The Director called on media outlets and the public to verify any statements attributed to it before publication, emphasizing that official communications from CDD-West Africa are released only through its verified platforms and bear the signature of its leadership or authorised spokespersons.
“We urge media organisations and the public to exercise due diligence by confirming the authenticity of statements before dissemination. Misinformation of this nature can be damaging and must be avoided” he noted.
Garba also cautioned against lending legitimacy to the false claims made by Yakubu’s group, stressing its continued commitment to democracy and good governance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the comments and claims made by this impostor group and strongly caution against granting them any legitimacy,” he said
CDD-West Africa, which has its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, reaffirmed its status as a non-partisan research institution dedicated to evidence-based advocacy and the promotion of democratic governance across West Africa.
For further inquiries, CDD-West Africa directed the public to contact its Abuja office or visit its official website at www.cddwestafrica.org.
