Over a thousand Islamic scholars have issued a joint statement advising President Bola Tinubu against seeking re-election in 2027 presidency, citing persistent economic hardship and widespread insecurity across the country.
The declaration was adopted following a gathering in Kano State, where the clerics highlighted the severe living conditions facing many Nigerians.
The meeting was tagged ‘An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections’.
The stance contrasts with recent political endorsements received by the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima from two major Islamic groups—the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) and the Qadiriyya Sufi order.
Both organizations declared their support for the administration’s 2027 ticket during a consultative visit by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council.
However, the clerics, under the aegis of Ko Da Naka… For the Struggle to Promote Good Governance and Community Development and AFAQ Educational Foundation, said they are not happy with how Tinubu is running the country.
They contended that key economic reforms—including the removal of the petrol subsidy, the floating of the naira exchange rate, increased electricity tariffs, and proposed tax reforms—have significantly escalated living costs and worsened economic hardship for ordinary citizens.
“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,” parts of the communique read.
Backstory…
Tinubu’s 2027 ambition, however, has been established for some time. The All Progressives Congress formally endorsed him as its candidate for a second term in May 2025, setting the stage for his re-election campaign well before the latest criticism from the clerics.
The endorsement came as the administration defended its economic reforms, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy and exchange-rate reforms, despite the cost-of-living pressures that followed.
Since then, criticism of the administration’s performance has increasingly become part of the political conversation ahead of 2027 presidency.
In July 2026, the National Christian Elders Forum also called on Tinubu not to seek a second term, citing concerns over insecurity, the economy and citizens’ welfare. The group additionally renewed its opposition to the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the APC in 2023.
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