Islamic Scholars Urge Tinubu To Drop Re-election Bid
Over 1,000 Islamic clerics under umbrella "Ko Da Naka…For the Struggle to Promote Good Governance and Community Development," have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to shelve his re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election, due to worsening insecurity, economic hardship, as well as the exodus of skilled professionals from the country.
Over 1,000 Islamic clerics under umbrella "Ko Da Naka…For the Struggle to Promote Good Governance and Community Development," have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to shelve his re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election, due to worsening insecurity, economic hardship, as well as the exodus of skilled professionals from the country.
The clerics also urged Nigerians to use the 2027 elections to choose leaders capable of addressing hardship, insecurity, unemployment, injustice and underdevelopment while creating conditions for greater prosperity.
Among those who presented papers on the occasion included Dr Abdulmuɗɗalib Ahmad Giɗaɗo, Prof Muhd Muslim Ibrahim, Sheikh Kabir Bashir Abdulhamid, Dr Aminu Isma’il Sagagi and Dr Najibullah Abdallah Nuhu.
They also included Sheikh Abdurrazaq Uba Musa, Sheikh Musa Muhd Ɗan kwano, Barrister El-Zubair, Dr Yahuza Getso, Prof Ibrahim Siraj Adhama, Dr Umar Dokaji and Sheikh Muhd Sani Khamis a.k.a Abu Haisam.
The Islamic clerics expressed concern over the continued migration of Nigerian doctors, teachers, engineers and other skilled professionals to other advanced economies, attributing the exodus to inadequate facilities, poor working conditions and the broader economic difficulties confronting the country.
The clerics spoke in a communique at the end of their national conference in Kano titled, “An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections,” on Sunday.
The Ko Da Naka clerics conference was organized in collaboration with AFAQ Educational Foundation.
The Ko Da Naka clerics conference was organized in collaboration with AFAQ Educational Foundation.
They expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the Tinubu administration as well as its handling of the country’s economic and security challenges.
Furthermore, they also, faulted several economic policies of the administration, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, changes to the naira exchange-rate regime, increases in electricity tariffs and tax reforms, saying the measures had increased the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
According to the communique, the participants unanimously noted that the Tinubu administration had continued to pursue policies that were worsening hardship rather than reviewing measures considered to be detrimental to citizens' well-being.
The communique read in part, “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.
“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.”
The conference delegates also raised concerns over continued killings, kidnappings and other acts of terrorism across the country and urged urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address insecurity, particularly in the North-West and other parts of the country affected by banditry and terrorism.
They further asked President Tinubu to reconsider his 2027 presidential ambition since his administration failed to address the challenges identified by the conference.
“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 communique stated, and pleaded with the government to improve salaries, working conditions and professional development opportunities, while creating incentives capable of encouraging skilled Nigerians abroad to return home and contribute to national development.
The clerics also called on religious leaders and scholars to speak truth to power, defend justice and resist attempts to turn them into political instruments, adding that Islamic scholars should commend good governance and criticise wrongdoing irrespective of the political party, ethnic group or religion of those in power.
The conference further called on Nigerians to place the country’s interests above partisan, ethnic and regional considerations ahead of the 2027 elections.
They also, urged voters to assess political candidates based on their experience, integrity, competence and policy proposals, rather than party, ethnic or regional affiliations.
According to the communique, the participants unanimously noted that the Tinubu administration had continued to pursue policies that were worsening hardship rather than reviewing measures considered to be detrimental to citizens' well-being.
The communique read in part, “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.
“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.”
The conference delegates also raised concerns over continued killings, kidnappings and other acts of terrorism across the country and urged urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address insecurity, particularly in the North-West and other parts of the country affected by banditry and terrorism.
They further asked President Tinubu to reconsider his 2027 presidential ambition since his administration failed to address the challenges identified by the conference.
“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 communique stated, and pleaded with the government to improve salaries, working conditions and professional development opportunities, while creating incentives capable of encouraging skilled Nigerians abroad to return home and contribute to national development.
The clerics also called on religious leaders and scholars to speak truth to power, defend justice and resist attempts to turn them into political instruments, adding that Islamic scholars should commend good governance and criticise wrongdoing irrespective of the political party, ethnic group or religion of those in power.
The conference further called on Nigerians to place the country’s interests above partisan, ethnic and regional considerations ahead of the 2027 elections.
They also, urged voters to assess political candidates based on their experience, integrity, competence and policy proposals, rather than party, ethnic or regional affiliations.
What's Your Reaction?
