A respected Islamic scholar, Professor Mansur Sokoto, has sparked fresh political debate after openly criticizing the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging politicians and religious leaders to shift away from sentiment-driven campaigns.
In a strongly worded statement, the professor acknowledged that President Tinubu secured notable support from Muslim voters during the 2023 general elections. However, he argued that current realities suggest that Muslims, Islam, and the Northern region are not being prioritized under the present administration.
According to him, many now feel sidelined, alleging that the government’s focus appears concentrated on Lagos, with perceived benefits not evenly distributed across regions and religious groups.
Professor Sokoto called on political actors and clerics to abandon religion-based appeals ahead of future elections. Instead, he emphasized the need for accountability and measurable performance.
He challenged supporters of the president to present clear evidence of progress in key sectors such as healthcare, education, transportation, agriculture, and electricity supply. Without tangible achievements, he said, citizens should be free to make informed choices about their leadership.
“Campaigns should be built on real results, not sentiments,” he stated, adding that voters deserve transparency on whether campaign promises—particularly on stable electricity and economic development—have been fulfilled.
