The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jigawa chapter, has rejected the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by more than 500 Islamic scholars, clerics and preachers in Dutse.
The party made its position known in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Deputy Chairman in the state, Amb. Nuraddeen Suleiman.
The ADC described the endorsement as unfortunate and urged religious leaders to maintain their independence and moral authority.
It also faulted the communiqué issued at the meeting, particularly the claim that the Tinubu administration initiated the Kano-Dutse/Kano-Maradi railway project.
According to the party, the project was approved and awarded by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.
The party challenged the APC-led Federal Government to identify major capital projects initiated and substantially executed by the Tinubu administration in Jigawa.
The ADC also rejected claims of significant improvement in security, particularly in the North-West.
It cited recent kidnapping and terrorist attacks in Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara as evidence that insecurity remained a major challenge.
The party further referred to an Aug. 24 report by Al Jazeera on a video purportedly showing a large number of abducted persons held by armed men following the reported abduction of hundreds of worshippers in Niger State.
It said the developments made it “irresponsible” to portray the country’s security situation as resolved.
The ADC urged Islamic scholars and clerics to remain neutral and resist political influence, money or access to power that could compromise their independence and credibility.
It also blamed the removal of petrol subsidy for rising transportation, food and other living costs.
The party urged Nigerians to assess the administration based on its performance in security, economic welfare, employment, infrastructure, transparency and accountability.
The ADC said it respected the political choices of individual clerics but maintained that their endorsements should not be presented as religious verdicts or as representing the entire Muslim community in Nigeria.
