2027: Northern clerics tell Tinubu to forget re-election

More than 1,000 northern Islamic clerics have urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon his 2027 re-election bid unless his administration urgently tackles insecurity and worsening economic hardship.

The clerics made the demand in a communiqué issued after a national conference on the state of the nation and the 2027 general elections, held in Kano on Sunday.

The conference was organised by Ko Da Naka, an organisation focused on good governance and community development, in collaboration with AFAQ Educational Foundation.

The clerics cited killings, kidnappings and terrorism, particularly in the North-West, as major reasons for their position.

They called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to restore security in affected communities, warning that failure to do so should influence voters’ decisions in 2027.

“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 said.

The clerics also criticised the administration’s economic policies, including petrol subsidy removal, changes to the naira exchange-rate system, higher electricity tariffs and tax reforms, which they said had worsened hardship for ordinary Nigerians.

“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.

The clerics further expressed concern over the continued departure of Nigerian doctors, teachers, engineers and other skilled professionals, blaming unemployment, poor working conditions, inadequate facilities and the difficult economic situation.

They urged the government to improve salaries, working conditions and professional development, while creating incentives for skilled Nigerians abroad to return.

The clerics also called on religious scholars to speak truth to power and resist being used as political instruments, saying Nigerians should judge candidates in 2027 based on experience, integrity, competence and policies rather than party, ethnic or regional considerations.