More than 1,000 northern Islamic clerics have called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon his 2027 re-election bid, citing the worsening security situation and economic hardship in the country.
The clerics made the demand 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 on Sunday.
The conference was organised by Ko Da Naka, an organisation focused on promoting good governance and community development, in collaboration with AFAQ Educational Foundation.
The clerics expressed concern over killings, kidnappings and terrorism, particularly in the North-West, and urged the Federal Government to take urgent measures to restore security.
They said Tinubu should either address the security challenges and other concerns raised or refrain from contesting the 2027 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 clerics also criticised the administration’s economic policies, including fuel subsidy removal, the naira exchange-rate reforms, electricity tariff increases and tax reforms, which they said had worsened the hardship faced by Nigerians.
They accused the government of prioritising revenue generation while the rising cost of living and unemployment continued to threaten citizens’ welfare.
According to them, the government would need to review what they described as harmful economic policies if it hoped to retain public support ahead of the 2027 elections.
The conference also raised concerns over the migration of skilled Nigerians, including doctors, teachers and engineers, attributing the trend to poor working conditions, inadequate facilities, unemployment and economic difficulties.
The clerics urged the government to improve salaries, working conditions and professional development opportunities to encourage skilled Nigerians abroad to return home.
They further called on Islamic scholars and other religious leaders to speak truth to power and avoid becoming political tools, regardless of the party, ethnic group or religion of those in government.
The clerics urged Nigerians to place national interest above ethnic, regional and political considerations and assess candidates based on their experience, integrity, competence and policies.