The agitation against the second term of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has further gathered momentum as over one thousand Islamic clerics rose from a national conference in Kano with a demand on him not bother seeking re-election in the 2027.
The Islamic clerics stressed that if President Tinubu heed to their demand, it would be incumbent upon citizens to reject his candidacy and allow those whom they believe can provide better leadership to come on stage.
The Islamic clerics in a communique at the end of their conference, stated that their position was predicated on “An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections” and came up with a resolution that the President should not bother seeking another term.
They cited economic crisis, insecurity, high cost of living that has made life unbearable and other challenges facing the country.
The position of the Islamic clerics comes at a time comes at a time when the Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’a Wa Iqamatussunnah (JIBWIS) and Qadiriyya Sufi sect, allegedly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for the 2027 presidential election during separate visits to their leadership by Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
But, the Islamic clerics under the aegis of ‘Ko Da Naka…For the Struggle to Promote Good Governance and Community Development’, in collaboration with AFAQ Educational Foundation, expressed serious dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Tinubu-led administration is running the country.
The clerics unanimously and specifically noted that Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, changes to the naira exchange-rate system, increase in electricity tariffs, and tax reforms, had increased the burden of hardship on ordinary citizens.
The conference of the Islamic conference specifically expressed dissatisfaction with the way and manner the Tinubu administration is being run, particularly the continued implementation of economic policies which participants unanimously agreed have increased the burden of hardship on ordinary citizens.
The communique further stated; “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 prioritise 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.
“Consequently, participants at the conference unanimously agreed that it would be inappropriate to re-elect this government in the forthcoming 2027 general elections if it does not change its harmful economic policies,” It stated.
The Islamic clerics also expressed serious concern over the continued killings and kidnappings by bandits, and other acts of terrorism across the country and therefore, called on the government to take urgent action to address insecurity, particularly in the North-West and other parts of the country.
The communique of the Islamic clerics further stated; “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.”
Some of the clerics that presented papers at the conference included Dr Abdulmuɗɗalib Ahmad Giɗaɗo, Prof Muhd Muslim Ibrahim, Sheikh Kabir Bashir Abdulhamid, Dr Aminu Isma’il Sagagi, Dr Najibullah Abdallah Nuhu, Sheikh Abdurrazaq Uba Musa, Sheikh Musa Muhd Ɗan kwano, Brr El-Zubair, Dr Yahuza Getso, Prof Ibrahim Siraj Adhama, Dr Umar.
