2027: Northern Islamic Clerics Ask Tinubu to Drop Re-election Bid

Virgin Times News More than 1,000 Islamic clerics from northern Nigeria have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider his reported ambition to seek another term in office in the 2027 presidential election. The demand was contained in a communiqué issued after a national conference held in Kano on Sunday, where participants assessed the country's security situation, economy, migration of skilled professionals and the forthcoming 2027 elections. The conference was organised under the umbrella of Ko Da Naka, an organisation that says it is committed to promoting good governance and community development, in collaboration with the AFAQ Educational Foundation. Insecurity at the centre of their concerns A major focus of the conference was the continuing security crisis affecting parts of Nigeria. The clerics expressed concern over killings, kidnappings and terrorism, particularly across the North-West, and urged the Federal Government to take what they described as urgent measures to improve security. According to their communiqué, they believe the security situation should be a major consideration in assessing the performance of the current administration ahead of 2027. They said that if the government failed to adequately address the situation, Nigerians should consider other political options at the next election. Clerics criticise economic policies The group also raised concerns about the economic conditions facing Nigerians. Among the policies criticised were the removal of the petrol subsidy, changes to the naira exchange-rate system, electricity tariff increases and tax reforms. The clerics argued that these measures, in their view, had increased pressure on ordinary Nigerians at a time when many households were already dealing with rising living costs and unemployment. They called for a reassessment of policies they believe are worsening economic hardship. The communiqué said the government had placed considerable emphasis on increasing revenue while Nigerians continued to face difficulties meeting basic needs. 'Do not contest if the problems remain' The clerics' position was particularly direct regarding the 2027 presidential election. They called on Tinubu to refrain from seeking another term if the administration does not address the concerns raised at the conference. They further said that, should the President proceed with his candidacy without addressing those issues, citizens should make their own choice at the ballot box. The position represents the view expressed by participants at the Kano conference and does not itself determine the outcome of the 2027 election. Brain drain raises another alarm Beyond insecurity and the economy, the conference also highlighted Nigeria's continuing loss of skilled professionals to other countries. The clerics specifically mentioned doctors, teachers, engineers and other professionals leaving Nigeria. They linked the migration to factors including unemployment, inadequate facilities, difficult working conditions and wider economic challenges. The group called for improved salaries, better working environments and stronger opportunities for professional development. It also urged the government to create conditions capable of encouraging skilled Nigerians living abroad to return and contribute to the country's development. Clerics urged to speak independently The conference also addressed the role of Islamic scholars in Nigerian public life. The clerics called on religious scholars to speak truth to power and to avoid becoming instruments of political parties or individual politicians. They argued that religious leaders should commend policies they consider beneficial and criticise wrongdoing regardless of the political party, ethnic group or religion associated with those in power. They also urged Nigerians to place national interests above party, ethnic and regional considerations when evaluating candidates for the 2027 elections. According to the communiqué, voters should examine candidates based on their experience, integrity, competence and policy proposals. A growing political conversation ahead of 2027 The call from the Kano conference adds another voice to the increasingly active political conversation surrounding the 2027 presidential election. Political groups and organisations across Nigeria have already begun positioning themselves ahead of the election, with competing views emerging over the performance of the Tinubu administration and whether the President should seek another term. The clerics' intervention places particular emphasis on three issues — security, economic hardship and the migration of skilled Nigerians. Whether their position will translate into broader political mobilisation remains a matter for voters and political developments leading up to the 2027 election. For now, the message from the Kano conference is clear: the organisers want the Federal Government to respond more urgently to the concerns they raised before Nigerians decide who should lead the country after 2027. Virgin Times News will continue to monitor the political developments and reactions from the Presidency, political parties and other stakeholders.