2027: 500 Islamic scholars endorse Tinubu, presidential aide claims

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, has said about 500 Islamic scholars and religious leaders endorsed the President for re-election in 2027.

Masari disclosed this in a statement signed by his media office and posted on his Facebook page on Saturday after attending the Northern Muslim Intellectual Forum in Dutse, Jigawa State.

According to the statement, the forum, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Hall, New Secretariat, Dutse, brought together Islamic scholars, intellectuals, religious leaders and other stakeholders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It said participants discussed security, socio-economic and developmental challenges confronting the region.

Those who attended included Governors Umar Namadi (Jigawa); Abba Yusuf (Kano); Mai Buni (Yobe); Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto); and Uba Sani (Kaduna).

Also in attendance were the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaka Darma.

The statement read, “The gathering attracted approximately 500 Islamic scholars and religious leaders, including Sheikhs, Imams, Huffaz of the Qur’an and Islamic preachers.

“Participants reviewed developments across Northern Nigeria, with particular attention to security, infrastructure and economic development. They expressed satisfaction with the approach adopted by President Tinubu in addressing the challenges facing the North, particularly insecurity, while acknowledging progress recorded under his administration.

“In a unanimous resolution, the participants endorsed President Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence in the direction of his administration and its efforts in economic reform, infrastructure development, security and national transformation.

“The forum also passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu and urged Nigerians, particularly Northerners, to support his re-election and vote for him and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming elections.”  

The statement added that participants also stressed the importance of unity, political stability and constructive engagement among political, religious and community leaders.

PUNCH Online reports that the endorsement came hours after APC released a list of members of Tinubu’s presidential campaign council.