The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jigawa State Chapter, has cautioned Islamic scholars and clerics against political engagements that could weaken their independence, credibility and moral standing in the eyes of the public ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party made the call in a statement signed and issued to journalists by its Youth Ambassador, North and Deputy Chairman in Jigawa State, Ambassador Nuraddeen Suleiman Jidawa.
The ADC described the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by some Northern Islamic scholars, clerics and preachers as unfortunate, expressing concern that such endorsements could be presented as the collective position of the Muslim community.
The party said religious leaders have a responsibility to preserve public confidence in their neutrality and should avoid political affiliations or activities capable of compromising that trust.
It also questioned claims contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the Northern Muslim Intellectuals, particularly the attribution of the Kano-Dutse/Kano-Maradi railway project to the Tinubu administration.
According to the ADC, the project was approved and awarded in 2021 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The party consequently challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to identify major capital projects initiated and substantially executed by the Tinubu administration in Jigawa State.
On security, the ADC rejected claims of significant improvement, especially across the North-West, pointing to recent kidnapping incidents and terrorist attacks reported in Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The party called on Islamic scholars and clerics to maintain political neutrality and resist financial inducements, political pressure or privileged access to power where such factors could compromise their independence and credibility.
The ADC also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy has contributed to increases in transportation fares, food prices and other essential living costs.
It urged Nigerians to assess the Tinubu administration’s performance based on key indicators, including the security situation, economic wellbeing, employment opportunities, infrastructure development, transparency and accountability.
While acknowledging that individual clerics have the constitutional right to make personal political choices, the ADC maintained that such positions should not be portrayed as religious verdicts or presented as the collective view of Nigeria’s Muslim population.
The party said preserving the moral authority of religious institutions was particularly important as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
