A northern Islamic cleric has urged Muslim leaders to stop campaigning for President Bola Tinubu based on his religious identity or the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
The cleric said those supporting Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election should instead present Nigerians with evidence of his administration’s achievements and performance since taking office.
He made the remarks in Hausa while addressing his congregation in a video circulating online.
He urged Islamic clerics involved in political discourse to focus on Tinubu’s record rather than his faith or the fact that Vice President Kashim Shettima is also a Muslim.
“If they want to campaign for Bola Tinubu, this time, he should come forward and let us examine the progress he has made since taking office,” he said.
“If life has become easier under his administration, tell us. If there is any achievement worthy of praise, come out openly and explain it to us.”
The cleric said Tinubu’s supporters should point to concrete achievements in areas including education, healthcare, agriculture, business, roads and electricity.
He added that if there were no achievements to justify another mandate, Nigerians should be allowed to consider other candidates.
“And if there is nothing to campaign for him with, then allow others to come forward so that we can try and see whether Allah will give us someone who can do better,” he said.
