As part of consultations with faith-based stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections, a delegation led by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, met with Muslim clerics in several northern states. The meetings, which started in Jos, Plateau state, also took the delegation to Kano, Kaduna, and Bauchi states. Yari and his team sought the buy-in of the religious leaders for President Tinubu's fresh term aspirations.
The delegation included prominent APC leaders such as former Kano State Governor and APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Adamu Aliero; and former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Other members of the delegation were Senator Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura, National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase. The team engaged with Muslim scholars who are leaders of 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 meeting in Bauchi was hosted by Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, Khalifa of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Zawiya. During the Bauchi meeting, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi prayed for President Tinubu and urged that dialogue between the state and the religious community be sustained.
In Kaduna, Senator Yari had extensive deliberations with Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, National Chairman of Kaduna faction of JIBWIS. They discussed various national issues, including security, economic hardship, and sustaining mutual trust in diverse communities. Sheikh Bala Lau commended Senator Yari for extending hands of fellowship but admonished leaders to listen more and speak to the people with sincerity.
The consultations concluded in Kano, where Senator Yari met with Sheikh Qaribullahi Nasiru Kabara, leader of the Qadiriyya movement. Sheikh Kabara offered special prayers for peace in Nigeria and for the success of the Council’s work. He urged the delegation to carry the message of unity to every corner of the federation.
The meetings with Muslim clerics are part of the APC's efforts to engage with faith-based stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party seeks to build support for President Tinubu's re-election bid. The consultations also reflect the APC's recognition of the influential role that religious leaders play in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support.
The outcome of the consultations and their impact on the 2027 general elections remains to be seen. The APC's engagement with Muslim clerics in northern states is a strategic move to secure support from a critical region. President Tinubu's re-election bid will likely face significant challenges, and the party's ability to build coalitions with key stakeholders will be crucial to its success.
Key points
- APC seeks support of Muslim clerics for Tinubu's re-election bid
- Delegation meets with leaders of Izala, Tijjaniyya, JIBWIS, and Qadiriyya sects
- Consultations part of APC's efforts to engage with faith-based stakeholders ahead of 2027 elections
