BY: HASSAN TURAKI.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Jigawa State has rejected the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by over 500 Islamic scholars and clerics who met in Dutse at the weekend.
In a statement on Monday, the party’s Deputy Chairman and ADC Youth Ambassador, North, Ambassador Nuraddeen Suleiman Jidawa, described the endorsement as “unfortunate” and urged religious leaders to safeguard their independence and moral authority.
The ADC also dismissed portions of the communiqué issued at the meeting, particularly the claim that the Tinubu administration initiated the Kano-Dutse/Kano-Maradi railway project.
“The project was approved and awarded under former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021,” Jidawa said.
He challenged the APC-led Federal Government to name major capital projects initiated and substantially executed by the Tinubu administration in Jigawa State.
On security, the party rejected claims of significant improvement in the North-West, citing recent kidnappings and terrorist attacks in Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara.
It further referenced an August 24 Al Jazeera report on a video allegedly showing a large number of abducted persons, following reported mass abductions of worshippers in Niger State.
“Given these developments, it is irresponsible to portray Nigeria’s security situation as resolved,” the statement said.
The ADC called on Islamic scholars and clerics to remain neutral, warning against political influence, money or access to power compromising their credibility.
The party also blamed the removal of petrol subsidy for the rise in transportation, food and living costs. It urged Nigerians to assess government performance based on security, economic welfare, employment, infrastructure, transparency and accountability.
“While we respect individual clerics’ political choices, such endorsements should not be presented as religious verdicts or as representing the position of Nigeria’s Muslim community,” Jidawa added.
