A prominent Islamic scholar, Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, has criticised the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, arguing that it has failed to deliver meaningful benefits to Muslims, particularly those in northern Nigeria.
Speaking during his Eid sermon in Sokoto, the cleric cautioned religious leaders against supporting political candidates solely based on religious affiliation.
According to him, nearly two years after the 2023 presidential election, there is little evidence that the Muslim-Muslim leadership has translated into tangible improvements for Muslims or the northern region.
“The Muslim-Muslim ticket was largely a political strategy to secure power rather than a sincere effort to advance the interests of Muslims,” Sokoto said during the sermon.
He noted that many Muslims who supported the ticket during the 2023 elections are still facing economic hardship and insecurity, adding that the government has not demonstrated clear commitment to addressing the challenges confronting northern communities.
The cleric also questioned whether the administration had made notable progress in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, electricity supply, and the economy.
He further alleged that the current administration appears more focused on political alliances and development projects in Lagos than on addressing the pressing issues facing northern Nigeria.
Sokoto urged religious leaders across the country to avoid using religion as a tool for political mobilisation and instead encourage citizens to assess leaders based on performance and governance outcomes.
“If there is nothing to show in terms of development and improvement in people’s lives, Nigerians should be free to consider other options,” he said.
His remarks add to the ongoing national debate over the role of religion in Nigeria’s politics, particularly following the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket that led to the election of President Tinubu in 2023.
