Scholar urges Nigerians to vote by competence, not religion, for 2027 election
Earlier today, prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa urged Nigerians to focus on competence rather than religion when voting in the 2027 general elections, reacting to fellow cleric Sheikh Sani Jingir’s public support for a Muslim‑Muslim presidential ticket. Speaking in an interview with DW that was monitored by DAILY POST, Daurawa said politics should be about service and what candidates can deliver, not their religious identity. “It shouldn’t be about religion but who is going to work, what is the person capable of doing, and what has he done?” he asked.
He noted that Nigeria’s Constitution does not recognise any political party as Islamic or Christian, asking, “Is there any party registered by INEC as an Islamic party or a Christian party or has any religious manifesto?” Daurawa added that voters are free to choose any ticket—Muslim‑Muslim, Christian‑Christian, Christian‑Muslim or Muslim‑Christian—and that no one should insult or attack others because of a ticket’s religious composition. He also called on young people to reject drug abuse, stay away from violence and weapons, and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
The appeal comes amid growing debate over religious balancing in Nigerian politics. By stressing competence and constitutional neutrality, Daurawa aims to curb election‑related tensions and encourage voters to judge leaders by their track records and ability to deliver good governance.