Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC), led a delegation of APC leaders to meet with Muslim clerics across North-central, North-west, and North-east geo-political zones. The meetings aimed to rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. The delegation included notable APC leaders such as former Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and former Kebbi state Governor, Senator Adamu Aliero.
The meetings, which commenced in Jos, Plateau state, took Senator Yari and his team to Kano, Kaduna, and Bauchi states, where they met with Muslim scholars from various sects, including Izala, Tijjaniyya, JIBWIS, and Qadiriyya. In Jos, the delegation was received by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, Chairman of the Council of Ulama of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS). The meetings provided a platform for the APC leaders to engage with Muslim clerics on key national issues.
In Bauchi, the delegation was received by Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, Khalifa of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Zawiya. Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi prayed for President Tinubu and urged the government to sustain dialogue with the religious community, rather than making it a seasonal engagement. The Bauchi meeting demonstrated the APC leaders' efforts to build bridges between the government and the Muslim community.
In Kaduna, Senator Yari had extensive deliberations with Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, National Chairman of the Kaduna faction of JIBWIS. The discussions focused on pressing national issues, including security, economic hardship, and ways to sustain mutual trust in diverse ethnic nationalities. Sheikh Bala Lau commended Senator Yari for extending a hand of fellowship and admonished leaders to listen more and speak sincerely to the people.
The APC leaders concluded their consultations with Muslim clerics in Kano, where Senator Yari met with the leader of the Qadiriyya movement, Sheikh Qaribullahi Nasiru Kabara. Sheikh Kabara offered special prayers for peace in Nigeria and for the success of the Council's work. He also urged the delegation to carry the message of unity to every corner of the federation, emphasizing the importance of national cohesion.
The meetings between Senator Yari, APC leaders, and Muslim clerics demonstrate the party's efforts to engage with key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections. By rallying support from influential Muslim clerics, the APC aims to build a strong foundation for President Tinubu's future political endeavors. The consultations also highlight the significance of the Muslim community in Nigeria's electoral landscape.
The APC leaders' engagement with Muslim clerics across three geo-political zones reflects the party's commitment to inclusivity and national unity. The meetings provided a platform for open discussions on critical national issues, showcasing the party's willingness to listen to diverse perspectives. As the 2027 general elections approach, the APC's efforts to build alliances with key stakeholders will likely continue to shape the country's political landscape.
Key points
- APC leaders, led by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, met with Muslim clerics to rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- The meetings covered key national issues, including security, economic hardship, and national unity.
- The APC's engagement with Muslim clerics demonstrates the party's commitment to inclusivity and national unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
