Northern Muslim Clerics Demand Tinubu Reconsider 2027 Bid Over Insecurity and Economic Hardship

ABUJA — A group of about 1,000 northern Islamic clerics has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his reported ambition to seek another term in office in 2027, arguing that persistent insecurity and economic hardship have left many Nigerians dissatisfied with the direction of the country.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued after a national conference held in Kano State on Sunday, where participants assessed the Tinubu administration’s performance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The conference, titled “An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections,” brought together Islamic scholars and other participants under the umbrella of Ko Da Naka, an organisation focused on promoting good governance and community development, in collaboration with the AFAQ Educational Foundation.

Clerics link 2027 decision to security situation

A major concern raised at the gathering was the continuing security crisis affecting parts of Nigeria, with particular attention given to the North-West.

The clerics expressed concern over killings, kidnappings and terrorism, urging the Federal Government to take more urgent measures to protect communities and restore public confidence in the country’s security architecture.

According to the communiqué, the participants argued that the government’s handling of insecurity should be an important consideration when Nigerians evaluate political candidates for the 2027 elections.

They therefore called on Tinubu either to abandon his re-election bid or, if he proceeds, for voters to reject his candidacy in favour of politicians they consider capable of providing better leadership.

The demand represents a political position taken by the conference participants and does not, by itself, indicate a broader consensus among northern Muslim leaders or Nigerian voters.

Economic hardship also dominates concerns

Beyond security, the conference focused heavily on the economic pressures facing households and businesses.

The clerics criticised several major economic measures introduced or advanced under the Tinubu administration, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, changes to the foreign-exchange system, higher electricity tariffs and tax reforms.

They argued that although the government has pursued increased public revenue and economic reforms, the immediate effect on ordinary Nigerians has been increased pressure on household incomes and living standards.

The participants called for the government to review policies they consider harmful and place greater emphasis on reducing the cost-of-living burden confronting Nigerians.

Their position comes against the backdrop of a period in which Nigerians have faced significant increases in the prices of food, transportation, energy and other essential goods.

Brain drain raises another alarm

The conference also identified the continued migration of highly skilled Nigerians as a major national concern.

Doctors, teachers, engineers and other professionals were specifically mentioned as part of the workforce leaving the country in search of better employment opportunities and working conditions.

The clerics attributed the trend to a combination of unemployment, inadequate facilities, poor remuneration, difficult working conditions and wider economic challenges.

They urged the government to improve salaries, provide better working environments and expand professional-development opportunities in an effort to make Nigeria more attractive to its skilled workforce.

They also called for policies capable of encouraging qualified Nigerians living abroad to return and contribute to the country’s development.

Religious leaders urged to remain independent

Another significant issue raised at the conference was the political role of religious scholars.

The participants urged Islamic scholars and other religious leaders to maintain their independence and speak against wrongdoing regardless of who is responsible.

They argued that religious leaders should not become instruments of political parties or politicians and should be willing to commend good governance while criticising policies they believe harm citizens.

The conference further urged Nigerians to look beyond political party, ethnicity and regional considerations when assessing candidates for the 2027 elections.

Instead, voters were encouraged to examine the experience, competence, integrity and policy proposals of those seeking public office.

What the development means for 2027

The communiqué adds another voice to the increasingly important political debate surrounding the 2027 presidential election.

For the Tinubu administration, the criticism combines two issues that are likely to remain central to the next election: security and the cost of living.

The North-West, in particular, has remained a major focus of Nigeria’s security debate because of recurring attacks, kidnappings and criminal activity affecting communities in the region.

At the same time, economic reforms introduced since the beginning of the Tinubu administration have generated both support and criticism. The government has maintained that reforms are necessary to strengthen the economy and improve Nigeria’s long-term fiscal position, while critics have focused heavily on their immediate impact on citizens.

As political activity surrounding 2027 intensifies, security performance, economic conditions and public confidence are expected to feature prominently in arguments for and against the incumbent administration.

Timeline: How the issue has developed

2023: Bola Tinubu assumed office and began implementing major economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy.

2023–2026: The government continued with changes affecting foreign exchange, electricity pricing, taxation and public revenue, while Nigerians faced significant economic pressures.

2026: Concerns over insecurity, economic hardship and the migration of skilled professionals continued to dominate public debate.

October 2026: The Kano conference brought together approximately 1,000 participants who assessed the administration and the approaching 2027 elections before issuing their communiqué.

2027: Nigerians are scheduled to vote in the next general elections, making security, economic performance and leadership credibility key issues in the emerging political contest.

What Nigerians should watch next

The immediate question is whether the Federal Government or the presidency will respond directly to the clerics’ demands.

Beyond the response from government, the more significant development will be whether similar positions emerge from other influential religious, political and community groups as the 2027 election approaches.

The economic and security records of the administration are also likely to receive increasing scrutiny as political parties and potential presidential candidates begin presenting their cases to voters.

For voters, the conference’s message is ultimately a call to judge political leadership on measurable outcomes rather than party, ethnicity or regional loyalty.

Whether that argument gains wider political traction will become clearer as the 2027 electoral contest takes shape.