More than 1000 Islamic clerics have asked President Bola Tinubu not to contest in 2027.
The clerics, in a communique after a meeting in Kano, said the poor state of the economy and insecurity have made life hard for Nigerians.
The meeting was tagged ‘An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections’.
This is coming after two Islamic groups – JIBWIS and the Qadiriyya Sufi sect – endorsed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for 2027. The groups endorsed Tinubu when Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director General of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Campaign Council, visited them.
But 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.
According to them, removal of fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, increase in electricity tariff and tax reforms have 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. 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.