Islamic scholars and political leaders at a JIBWIS symposium in Jos endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term ahead of 2027.
A major political signal ahead of the 2027 general election emerged in Jos, Plateau State, where the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibril Barau, joined more than 500 Islamic scholars and stakeholders to endorse President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.
The endorsement was announced at a national symposium convened by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis-Sunnah (JIBWIS), themed “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria.”
According to the communiqué, the event drew over 350 participants, including prominent Islamic clerics, political leaders, academics, professionals and youth representatives from across the country.
The gathering was hosted by the National President of JIBWIS, Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, and attended by the governors of Kano, Sokoto, Yobe and Jigawa States, the Minister of Water Resources, the Deputy President of the Senate and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Affairs.
The endorsement of President Tinubu injected a significant political tone into the symposium, coming amid heightened mobilisation and realignments as political actors prepare for the 2027 polls.
JIBWIS also pledged support for any position taken by its National Chairman of the Ulama’u Council, Sheikh Jingir, regarding the elections, including the possibility of backing a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
However, the organisation emphasised that political participation must be rooted in integrity, competence, justice, accountability and service to humanity rather than ethnic or sectional interests.
The symposium urged political parties to strengthen internal democracy, prioritise issue-based campaigns and reject hate speech, manipulation and divisive rhetoric.
Security concerns dominated discussions, with scholars expressing alarm over terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
While commending the efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, JIBWIS called for improved intelligence gathering, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, better training and adequate equipment for personnel.
