By Mahmoud Muhammad
DUTSE, Jigawa State — A fresh political controversy has erupted over the reported endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by more than 500 Islamic scholars, clerics and preachers who converged in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The controversy followed a reported declaration at the gathering that the scholars had passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu and supported his bid to seek another term in office in the 2027 presidential election.
The meeting reportedly attracted religious scholars and political figures from different parts of the country.
However, the endorsement has since been challenged by a cleric who reportedly attended the meeting and rejected the impression that all those present had endorsed the President.
The cleric was quoted as saying that Tinubu should complete his first term and return home, while Nigerians should be allowed to freely determine who should lead the country in 2027.
The development has raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the meeting and whether the reported endorsement reflected a unanimous decision by the Islamic scholars or the position of selected participants. It has also intensified debate over the growing involvement of religious figures in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
The gathering reportedly involved prominent political personalities, including Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, presidential aide Ibrahim Masari and northern APC governors. The presence of senior political actors has further fuelled speculation about the political objectives behind the meeting.
Critics have consequently questioned whether the scholars were brought together primarily for religious deliberations or whether the gathering was also designed to provide political support for the President ahead of the 2027 election.
The disagreement from an attendee has added weight to calls for greater clarity about what was actually agreed at the meeting.
The Jigawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has also rejected the reported endorsement, warning against the politicization of Islamic scholars and religious institutions.
The party argued that individual clerics have the right to make political choices but should not present such decisions as religious verdicts or as representing Nigeria’s entire Muslim community.
The ADC further questioned some claims reportedly contained in the communiqué from the gathering, including assertions concerning federal projects and improvements in security.
The opposition party urged Nigerians to judge the Tinubu administration on measurable performance in areas such as security, economic welfare, employment, infrastructure, transparency and accountability.
The dispute comes at a time when political activities ahead of the 2027 general election are gathering momentum, with political parties, religious leaders, interest groups and influential individuals increasingly positioning themselves ahead of the contest. The episode has therefore opened another debate over the extent to which religious authority should be deployed in partisan political mobilisation.
For the Tinubu administration and its supporters, endorsements from influential northern scholars could provide an important political boost as the President seeks a second term. But the conflicting account from an alleged participant means the reported endorsement may face further scrutiny, particularly over whether the 500-plus scholars collectively endorsed Tinubu or whether the resolution reflected the position of only some participants.
This version keeps the allegation carefully attributed and avoids presenting the disputed endorsement as an established fact.
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