A coalition of 1,121 Islamic clerics and scholars in Katsina State has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, pledging to mobilise their followers and communities ahead of the presidential poll.
The clerics, comprising members of the Qadiriyya and Tijaniyya Sufi orders, the Izala movement, and male, female and youth Islamic scholars, announced their endorsement on Sunday at a gathering in Katsina.
The meeting was attended by Kabiru Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, who called on the religious leaders to take the message of their endorsement to their congregations and encourage eligible voters to support Tinubu.
Speaking at the event, the convener and former head of the Katsina State Hisbah Board, Dr Aminu Usman, popularly known as Abu Ammar, said the decision followed consultations among the participating clerics.
He said the group had resolved to support the President for another four-year term, insisting that its position was guided by the country's interest rather than personal benefits.
“We all agreed that our support and commitment during the coming election in 2027 is to give our total support to Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Usman said.
He added: “We are in this position because we believe in all that we are doing, that we are not doing it for any selfish interest, but for the best interest of the Nigerian nation.”
The clerics subsequently indicated their approval of the endorsement through a show of hands after Usman asked those in favour to signify their support.
Professor Abdulaziz Mashi, another speaker at the gathering, said the endorsement was driven by the desire to ensure continuity in the implementation of the Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes.
“Our collective position is to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, so that he can complete the programme and direction he has set for the country,” he said.
Mashi urged the clerics to evaluate the administration’s performance based on facts, particularly in the areas of education and infrastructure, while acknowledging that significant challenges remained.
Reflecting on the experiences of university workers, he recalled previous concerns over salary payments and staff welfare, arguing that developments under the current administration deserved consideration.
“Today, there are developments that we believe deserve recognition. We should acknowledge the efforts being made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even as we continue to discuss the challenges that remain,” he said.
He also referenced the proposed railway connection between Nigeria and Maradi in the Niger Republic as one of the infrastructure initiatives that should feature in assessments of the government’s performance.
The university lecturer cautioned against the influence of misinformation and political propaganda, urging the religious leaders to rely on credible information when discussing the administration.
He further called on participants, including women, civil servants and community representatives, to spread the message of the endorsement across their respective localities.
“When you return home, you should communicate the message to the people in your neighbourhoods, communities and local areas,” Mashi said.
He stressed, however, that those opposed to the endorsement were entitled to their views, adding that political discussions should be guided by responsible communication and informed debate.
Also addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Muslim Intellectual Forum, Professor Abdullahi Pakistan, acknowledged that insecurity and economic hardship continued to pose serious challenges to Nigerians.
Pakistan said the Tinubu administration inherited some security problems, while others had persisted or emerged during its tenure.
He nevertheless claimed that some improvements had been recorded, including in people's ability to travel in certain areas compared with previous periods.
He called for continued prayers for peace and improved security across the country, urging the clerics to exercise wisdom and sound judgment in their engagement with national issues.
According to him, religious leaders should draw on the Qur’an, Hadith and other sources of knowledge when addressing public concerns.
In his response, Masari urged the clerics to use their influence to communicate the endorsement to their followers and encourage eligible voters to support Tinubu in the 2027 election.
“I want to appeal to imams and other religious leaders to communicate the decision to your congregations and encourage eligible voters to support Tinubu,” he said.
The presidential aide maintained that the mobilisation should be undertaken in the interest of the country rather than for personal gain.
He also underscored the role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion, urging them to communicate what they considered to be the truth about national affairs to their congregations.
Leave a Reply