More than 1,000 Islamic clerics have urged President Bola Tinubu not to contest the 2027 general elections, citing economic hardship and insecurity.
The position was contained in a communique issued after a meeting in Kano. The meeting was tagged 'An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections'.
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 were not satisfied with the way the country is being run.
They said the poor state of the economy and rising insecurity have made life difficult for Nigerians.
Clerics cite subsidy removal, naira float, tariff hike
According to the communique, the removal of fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, increase in electricity tariff and tax reforms have worsened hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
The clerics stated:
"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."
The communique came after two Islamic groups JIBWIS and the Qadiriyya Sufi sect endorsed President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for 2027.
The groups announced their endorsement when Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director General of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Campaign Council, visited them.
The Kano meeting, however, took a different position, saying the government should review its economic policies or risk losing support in 2027.
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