More than 1,000 northern Islamic clerics have called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon his 2027 re-election ambition, citing the worsening security situation, economic hardship and the continued departure of skilled professionals from Nigeria.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued after a national conference titled “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 Islamic clerics under the umbrella of Ko Da Naka, an organisation focused on promoting good governance and community development, in collaboration with the AFAQ Educational Foundation.
The clerics expressed particular concern over killings, kidnappings and terrorist attacks in the North-West and other parts of the country, urging the Federal Government to take urgent steps to restore security.
They said failure to address the situation should prompt Nigerians to 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 featured presentations by several Islamic scholars and academics, including 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, Barrister El-Zubair, Dr Yahuza Getso, Prof. Ibrahim Siraj Adhama, Dr Umar Dokaji and Sheikh Muhd Sani Khamis, also known as Abu Haisam.
The clerics also criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, arguing that measures introduced by the government had increased the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Among the policies they questioned were the removal of the petrol subsidy, changes to the naira exchange-rate regime, increases in electricity tariffs and tax reforms.
They argued that the government had placed too much emphasis on increasing revenue at a time when Nigerians were struggling with rising living costs and unemployment.
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,” they said.
According to the communiqué, the participants agreed that it would be inappropriate to re-elect the Tinubu administration in 2027 if the government failed to review what they described as harmful economic policies.
Concern Over Japa and Skilled Workers’ Exodus
The clerics also expressed concern over the continued migration of Nigerian professionals, including doctors, teachers, engineers and other highly skilled workers.
They attributed the exodus to unemployment, inadequate facilities, poor working conditions and the wider economic difficulties confronting the country.
They called on the government to improve salaries, working conditions and opportunities for professional development, while creating incentives that could encourage Nigerians living abroad to return home and contribute to national development.
The conference also called on Islamic scholars and other religious leaders to remain independent and speak truth to power regardless of political, ethnic or religious considerations.
The clerics said religious scholars should commend good governance while openly criticising policies they consider harmful to the people.
They further urged Nigerians to place the future of the country above party, ethnic and regional interests when choosing political leaders.
According to them, voters should assess candidates based on their experience, integrity, competence and policy proposals rather than political affiliation.
The communiqué warned that Nigerians should not be expected to endure another term of policies they believe have worsened hardship.
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 clerics said.
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