A prominent Northern Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Suleiman, has issued a stern warning to Islamic scholars and religious leaders to immediately cease using the “Muslim-Muslim” ticket as a political campaign tool for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. He challenged leaders to instead present the administration’s performance scorecard to the public.
The directive came during a press conference and sermon delivered on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the historic Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna State.
Speaking to newsmen and congregants, Sheikh Suleiman addressed recent remarks by religious figures, including Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, the National Chairman of the Council of Ulama of the Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatul Sunnah (JIBWIS), who advocated for the continuation of same-faith governance.
Suleiman strongly criticized the exploitation of religious identity for political sentiment. He maintained that using Islam to shield political leadership from governance evaluations violates basic Islamic principles, which demand justice, accountability, and fairness.
”Islam is built on justice, fairness, and accountability,” Sheikh Suleiman declared. “It is a disservice to our faith to reduce governance to a same-faith ticket while ignoring the socio-economic realities of our people.
If you want to campaign for President Tinubu, do not hide behind the ‘Muslim-Muslim’ banner. Show Nigerians his scorecard. Tell the people what he has achieved regarding security, the economy, inflation, and the welfare of citizens.”
The cleric’s intervention follows heightened debates triggered during a government-sponsored mass wedding event in Kano, attended by sitting governors Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano and Umar Namadi of Jigawa, where calls for sustained same-faith leadership were openly echoed.
The rhetoric quickly drew sharp rebukes from civil society organizations, political commentators, and Christian bodies, including the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who warned against political mobilization based on religious division.
Adding to the discourse, Kaduna-based cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary Prof. Usman Yusuf emphasized that governance must be measured by tangible results rather than religious sentiment. They noted that everyday economic hardship and security concerns affect all citizens equally, regardless of faith.
In response to the mounting controversy, the Presidency maintains that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to competence, merit, and federal character, urging religious leaders across the country to preach unity rather than division ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
