More than 500 Islamic scholars and religious leaders from Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory have expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office.
The endorsement followed a closed-door meeting of the Muslim Intellectual Forum held in Dutse, Jigawa State, where participants reviewed issues including security, infrastructure, economic development and other challenges affecting the region.
The gathering brought together Islamic scholars, preachers, Imams, Qur’anic memorisers and other religious leaders from the 19 northern states and the FCT.
Scholars cite security and development
Reports from the meeting said the participants expressed satisfaction with what they described as progress recorded by the Tinubu administration, particularly in the areas of security and infrastructure.
The forum subsequently passed a vote of confidence in the President and endorsed his re-election bid ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The meeting was attended by several senior political figures, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs Ibrahim Kabir Masari and Minister of Housing and Urban Development Muttaka Darma.
Northern governors including Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto and Uba Sani of Kaduna were also reported to have attended, alongside representatives from other states.
The endorsement comes as political activity intensifies across Nigeria following the formal commencement of the 2027 election campaign season.
Tinubu’s administration is seeking to make its economic reforms, infrastructure investments and security efforts central to its campaign message, while opposition parties continue to challenge the government’s record.
The support from the northern religious leaders represents another endorsement for Tinubu as his campaign organisation begins its mobilisation efforts across the country.
However, the endorsement reflects the position of the participating forum and does not represent the views of all Muslim scholars or northern Nigerians.