About 1,000 Islamic clerics from Northern Nigeria have called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon his ambition to seek re-election in 2027, citing persistent killings, kidnappings and terrorist attacks across the country, particularly in the North-West.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a national conference on “An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections,” held in Kano State on Sunday.
The conference was organised by the clerics under the umbrella of Ko Da Naka, an organisation which describes itself as being committed to promoting good governance and community development, in collaboration with the AFAQ Educational Foundation, reports Vanguard.
The clerics said the deteriorating security situation, particularly in the North-West, had become a matter of urgent national concern and urged the Federal Government to take decisive measures to protect citizens.
They further warned that if the administration failed to address the security challenges and other concerns raised at the conference, Nigerians should reject Tinubu’s candidacy in the 2027 presidential election.
“Alternatively, the president should refrain from contesting the 2027 election. If he refuses to do so, it is incumbent upon citizens to reject his candidacy and allow those whom they believe can provide better leadership,” the communiqué stated.
The conference brought together approximately 1,000 participants who deliberated on security, the economy, the migration of skilled professionals, the role of religious scholars in speaking truth to power and the 2027 general elections.
Among those who presented papers at the conference were Dr Abdulmuɗɗalib Ahmad Giɗaɗo, Prof. Muhd Muslim Ibrahim, Sheikh Kabir Bashir Abdulhamid, Dr Aminu Isma’il Sagagi, Dr Najibullah Abdallah Nuhu and Sheikh Abdurrazaq Uba Musa.
Others included Sheikh Musa Muhd Ɗan Kwano, Barr. El-Zubair, Dr Yahuza Getso, Prof. Ibrahim Siraj Adhama, Dr Umar Dokaji and Sheikh Muhd Sani Khamis (Abu Haisam).
Economic hardship
The clerics also criticised the administration’s economic policies, arguing that measures including the removal of the petrol subsidy, changes to the naira exchange-rate regime, electricity tariff increases and tax reforms had worsened hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
“It is unfortunate that the government has continued to insist on pursuing these policies, which are increasing hardship among the people, rather than reviewing and correcting them.
“The government prioritised the growth of its revenue at a time when the rising cost of living and unemployment are threatening the lives and well-being of citizens,” they said.
They further stated that participants at the conference “unanimously agreed that it would be inappropriate to re-elect this government” in 2027 if it failed to review what they described as harmful economic policies.
The clerics also expressed concern over the continued migration of Nigerian doctors, teachers, engineers and other skilled professionals, attributing the development to unemployment, inadequate facilities, poor working conditions and economic difficulties.
They urged the government to improve remuneration, working conditions and professional development opportunities in order to encourage skilled Nigerians abroad to return home.
Call for independent religious leadership
The Islamic scholars also charged religious leaders to speak truth to power and resist being used as political instruments.
They said religious scholars should commend policies they considered beneficial and criticise those they considered harmful, irrespective of the political party, ethnicity or religion of the person in power.
The clerics also urged Nigerians to place the national interest above partisan, ethnic and regional considerations when choosing leaders in 2027.
They advised voters to assess candidates based on their experience, integrity, competence and policies, rather than party, ethnic or regional affiliations.
“Nigerians should not be asked to endure another term of the same policies while families struggle to meet basic needs and the promised relief remains out of reach,” the communiqué said.
