Sheik Jingir Warns Tinubu: Support Hinges on Retaining Shettima for 2027 Re-Election Bid

Prominent Islamic scholar and National Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheik Sani Yahaya Jingir, has issued a clear warning regarding the 2027 presidential elections. He declared that his continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be conditional on the president maintaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

The revered Islamic leader made this strong declaration during a public address at Yantaya Mosque in Jos, Plateau State, where he emphasized his unwavering support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket during the 2023 elections, despite his long-standing association with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“Myself and others around me supported Tinubu and Shettima, and we’re backing your joint ticket. Any attempt to drop Shettima, I wouldn’t support that move because they had earlier agreed to contest and work together. I supported them without taking a penny from them. Although I am close to Atiku Abubakar, I chose to vote for Tinubu and Shettima. There are rumors circulating that things aren’t going well between them but I don’t believe it. In my opinion, it’s the work of their enemies,” Sheik Jingir asserted.

The statement by Sheik Jingir is seen as a direct message to the presidency amidst growing speculations within the All Progressives Congress (APC) that President Tinubu may consider substituting Vice President Shettima with another candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The influential cleric insisted that such rumors are nothing more than the manipulations of “unpatriotic elements“ who are trying to create disunity at the highest level of government. He warned that these divisive forces should not be allowed to interfere in the trusted relationship between Tinubu and Shettima, especially as the 2027 race begins to gather momentum.

Sheik Jingir also encouraged President Tinubu to resist the influence of detractors, whom he described as enemies seeking to undermine the credibility and harmony within the current administration.

The growing debate over the 2027 ticket has triggered responses from party stakeholders and political observers, as loyalty and power-sharing arrangements within the ruling APC continue to face internal tests.

By publicly declaring his stance, Sheik Jingir not only reaffirms his loyalty to the existing Tinubu-Shettima mandate but also sends a powerful signal that any disruption of that partnership could cost the president key religious and grassroots support, especially from the Northern Islamic community.