- Over 500 Islamic scholars and clerics from across Nigeria met with key political figures in Jigawa State
- Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and presidential aide Ibrahim Masari attended the closed-door session
- Six northern APC governors were present at the meeting before the endorsement was announced
More than 500 Islamic scholars, preachers, and clerics drawn from across Nigeria have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, following a closed-door meeting held in Jigawa State.
The endorsement came after the clerics met with six northern governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and Ibrahim Masari, who serves as President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Matters.
Source: UGC
Northern governors and aides at the Jigawa meeting
The gathering brought together a significant concentration of northern political heavyweights alongside religious leaders, signalling an early push to consolidate support for the president ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The identities of the six APC governors who attended were not immediately disclosed.
Masari, a longtime political ally of Tinubu, has played a central role in the president’s political outreach since the 2023 election cycle, making his presence at the meeting notable.
Deputy Senate President Barau, who represents Kano North and is one of the most senior northern figures in the National Assembly, also participated in the session.
Clerics Declare Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
Following the meeting, the assembled Islamic scholars formally declared their backing for Tinubu’s return to Aso Rock for a second term. The endorsement, coming from over 500 clerics nationwide, represents one of the largest single bloc shows of support from Nigeria’s Islamic community since Tinubu took office in May 2023.
The 2027 presidential election is still roughly two years away, but political activity has already begun intensifying across the country. Tinubu’s camp appears to be working to secure broad regional and religious backing well ahead of the campaign season.
Yari speaks on how Tinubu will win
Previously, Legit.ng reported that Abdulaziz Yari, the senator representing Zamfara West and a former governor of the state, pledged to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 after being named director-general of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council.
Yari made the commitment on Saturday, August 22, in a statement reacting to his appointment, saying he accepted the role with “deep gratitude” and “full seriousness.”
Source: Legit.ng