By GARBA MUHAMMAD

The National Leader of Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Waikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that he received huge sums of money to campaign for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Sheikh Jingir described the allegations as false, maintaining that his support for the Tinubu administration was based on religious considerations rather than financial inducement or membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Islamic cleric made the clarification while addressing members of the organisation during its North-West Zonal Meeting and National Symposium held at the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) headquarters in Kaduna.

He explained that although he was not a member of the APC, he supported the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima during the 2023 general elections.

According to him, his position on the Muslim-Muslim ticket was informed by his understanding of Islamic teachings, particularly guidance drawn from the Qur’an and Hadith, rather than partisan political interests.

Sheikh Jingir maintained that his religious and political guidance was based on evidence and Islamic principles, stressing that he did not impose his personal opinions on followers.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Affairs, Hon. Kabiru Masari, represented by his Special Assistant, Alhaji Sabiu Saidu Mahuta, appealed to Nigerians to support the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

Masari said allowing Tinubu to complete eight years in office would provide an opportunity to consolidate ongoing reforms, policies and programmes aimed at improving the country’s socioeconomic development.

He also expressed optimism that the Federal Government’s efforts to address insecurity, particularly in the North-West, were yielding positive results.

According to him, the administration remains committed to tackling insurgency, poverty, illiteracy and economic hardship confronting Nigerians.

“With President Tinubu’s determination and commitment, we believe that, by the grace of Allah, the challenges of insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and economic hardship will become history,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the JIBWIS Ulama Council in Lagos State, Sheikh Dalhatu Abubakar Abdullahi Santana, said the symposium was organised to enlighten members on political participation from an Islamic perspective.

He explained that the gathering was designed to promote responsible civic engagement, political awareness and informed participation in Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly as the country prepares for another election cycle.

Santana maintained that Sheikh Jingir’s political views should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of partisan politics or membership of any political party.

He stressed that the Islamic scholar had consistently offered guidance to politicians across party lines, based on religious teachings and constitutional principles.

According to Santana, every Nigerian, irrespective of religious affiliation, has the constitutional right to freedom of expression, association and political participation.

He urged Muslims to make political decisions based on sound reasoning, credible evidence and Islamic teachings rather than blind loyalty or misinformation.

The cleric further emphasised that JIBWIS remained committed to promoting religious understanding, peaceful coexistence and responsible political participation without compromising its religious principles.