Over 500 Islamic scholars, preachers and religious leaders from across Northern Nigeria have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
The endorsement followed a meeting of the Northern Muslim Intellectual Forum in Dutse, Jigawa State, on Saturday, where participants also passed a vote of confidence in the Tinubu administration.
The gathering, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Hall, New Secretariat, brought together Islamic scholars, intellectuals, religious leaders and other stakeholders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to a statement issued by the media office of Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, about 500 Islamic scholars and religious leaders attended the forum.
The participants included sheikhs, imams, Huffaz of the Qur’an and Islamic preachers.
The forum reviewed developments across Northern Nigeria, with particular attention to insecurity, infrastructure and economic development.
The statement said the participants expressed satisfaction with the approach adopted by Tinubu in addressing the challenges confronting the region, particularly insecurity.
It added that the scholars unanimously endorsed the President for re-election, expressing confidence in his administration’s economic reforms, infrastructure development, security efforts and broader national transformation agenda.
The participants also urged Nigerians, particularly Northerners, to support Tinubu and vote for him and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming elections.
Among those who attended the meeting were Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi, Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni, Sokoto Governor Ahmad Aliyu and Kaduna Governor Uba Sani.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Muttaka Darma were also listed among the participants.
The engagement came as the ruling APC intensified its preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.
On Saturday, the party unveiled its presidential campaign council, with Tinubu as chairman, Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda as vice-chairmen, and former Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General.
Masari was also named Deputy Director-General for Logistics and Operations in the campaign structure.
The Dutse meeting therefore adds a religious and regional dimension to the ruling party’s mobilisation efforts as it seeks to retain the presidency.
The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the current timetable published by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The commission moved the presidential poll forward from the earlier February date after the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns formally began on August 19.
The endorsement is significant politically because Islamic scholars and religious leaders command considerable influence within many communities across Northern Nigeria. Their support could provide political networks with access to grassroots constituencies ahead of the election.
It does not, however, automatically translate into votes for Tinubu, as voters retain individual political choices and the North remains politically diverse.
With the APC campaign machinery now taking shape, the Dutse declaration is expected to form part of the wider mobilisation drive for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
