Killings, Hardship: Northern Islamic Clerics Tell Tinubu to Drop 2027 Ambition

More than 1,000 northern Islamic clerics have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to abandon his ambition to seek re-election in 2027, citing persistent killings, kidnappings, terrorism and economic hardship across the country.

The clerics made the demand in a communiqué issued after a national conference in Kano titled “An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections.”

The conference was organised under the Ko Da Naka platform in collaboration with the AFAQ Educational Foundation.

The clerics expressed particular concern over worsening insecurity in the North-West, where communities have continued to face attacks, kidnappings and other forms of violence.

They urged the Federal Government to take stronger and more effective measures to protect lives and property, warning that the security situation should be a major consideration in determining who Nigerians support in the 2027 elections.

The clerics also asked Tinubu to reconsider his plan to seek another term in office.

They said that if the President decides to contest despite what they described as the country’s worsening security and economic challenges, Nigerians should reject his candidacy at the polls.

The group said political leaders must be judged by their performance in office rather than party affiliation, ethnic identity or regional interests.

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The clerics also criticised key economic policies of the Tinubu administration, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, changes to the foreign exchange regime, increases in electricity tariffs and ongoing tax reforms.

They argued that the policies had contributed to rising living costs and increased pressure on households, businesses and vulnerable Nigerians.

According to the clerics, the government should review policies that have increased the cost of living and focus more on improving citizens’ welfare.

They also raised concerns about the continued migration of skilled Nigerian professionals, including doctors, teachers and engineers, to other countries.

The clerics attributed the trend partly to poor working conditions, inadequate facilities, unemployment and economic pressures, urging the government to create better opportunities for professionals to remain in Nigeria.

They further called on Islamic scholars and religious leaders to remain independent and speak against wrongdoing regardless of the political party, ethnicity or religion of those involved.

The clerics urged Nigerians to place national interest above religious, ethnic and political considerations when choosing leaders in 2027.

They said voters should assess political candidates based on their competence, integrity, experience and policies rather than relying solely on party loyalty.

The intervention comes as political parties and presidential aspirants intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with insecurity, economic hardship and governance expected to feature prominently in the political debate.

The clerics’ position adds another voice to the growing scrutiny of the Tinubu administration as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.

Killings, Hardship: Northern Islamic Clerics Tell Tinubu to Drop 2027 Ambition

2027: Donald Duke Pledges To Bring Petrol Price Down To N300 Per Litre

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has pledged to work towards reducing the price of petrol to about N300 per litre if elected president in the 2027 presidential election.

Duke, a former governor of Cross River State, made the pledge during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he outlined his proposed approach to the petroleum sector and Nigeria’s wider economy.

The PRP candidate said petroleum products for domestic consumption should be priced based on the cost of production rather than being fully exposed to international market prices.

He proposed allocating about 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day for domestic consumption, while selling the remaining crude on the international market.

Asked what petrol could cost under his proposed administration, Duke said: “I will try and bring it to about N300.”

He acknowledged that the target could appear ambitious but maintained that his proposed crude allocation and domestic pricing model could make it achievable.

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Duke argued that fuel prices have a direct impact on transportation, businesses and household expenses, making affordable energy important to economic activity.

“Fuel drives your economy. It should be available. It should be affordable,” he said.

The former Cross River governor also indicated that he would pursue a different economic approach from the policies of President Bola Tinubu if elected.

His proposal comes amid continuing debate over petrol prices, fuel subsidy removal, domestic refining and crude oil allocation in Nigeria.

The N300 target is part of Duke’s proposed 2027 economic agenda and would depend on the implementation of the policies he has outlined if he wins the presidential election.

2027: Donald Duke Pledges To Bring Petrol Price Down To N300 Per Litre

2027: Obi Makes U-Turn, Vows to Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said he would restore Nigeria’s petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that the major problem with the policy is the corruption surrounding its implementation.

Obi made the declaration during a recent interview with the BBC, where he was asked directly whether he would bring back the subsidy if elected.

“Yes. But remember, I have qualified it, not with the corruption that’s associated with it. I’ll remove the corruption and retain the subsidy,” he said.

The position marks a significant shift from comments Obi made in August, when he said the removal of fuel subsidy should not be reversed simply because proceeds from the policy were allegedly being mismanaged.

Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Obi said at the time that he supported subsidy removal but argued that the savings should be properly invested in healthcare, education and other productive sectors.

“I subscribe, and I maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds should not be the reason for not removing it,” he had said.

Obi has now drawn a distinction between the subsidy itself and what he describes as the corruption associated with the scheme.

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“From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy,” he told the BBC.

The latest position also comes shortly after his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said an NDC administration would introduce fuel subsidy in its own way if the party wins the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso had argued that the party would seek ways to make petrol more affordable while improving domestic refining and petroleum production.

The fuel subsidy debate has remained a major political and economic issue since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced its removal on May 29, 2023.

The decision caused petrol prices to rise sharply and has remained a contentious issue amid concerns over inflation, living costs and household purchasing power.

The Federal Government has continued to defend subsidy removal as a necessary economic reform, while opposition politicians have proposed different approaches to reducing the impact of petrol prices on Nigerians.

Obi also addressed the question of opposition unity ahead of the 2027 election, rejecting suggestions that he should step aside for another candidate if opposition parties eventually agree to a consensus candidate.

“We don’t need to step down. We need to do the right thing,” he said, arguing that opposition parties should focus on mobilising more voters.

On corruption, Obi said his approach would begin with his own conduct and that of his family. He also contrasted his proposed leadership style with that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying he would exercise greater control over his administration if elected.

With the 2027 presidential election approaching, Obi’s renewed pledge to retain or restore fuel subsidy is expected to keep the policy at the centre of economic and political debates, particularly as parties present competing proposals on petrol pricing and the cost of living.

2027: Obi Makes U-Turn, Vows to Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected