Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa has called on Nigerians to reject religious considerations in electoral choices, urging voters to prioritize competence and governance records ahead of the 2027 general Elections.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Daurawa responded to recent comments by fellow cleric Sheikh Sani Jingir, who expressed support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. The scholar argued that Nigeria’s democratic framework is secular and that the Constitution does not recognize political parties along religious lines.
“It shouldn’t be about religion but who is going to work, what is the person capable of doing, and what has he done?” Daurawa said. He questioned whether any party registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission carries an Islamic or Christian manifesto, emphasizing that the electoral system is designed to transcend faith-based affiliations.
The cleric maintained that Nigerians should be free to vote for any candidate regardless of the religious composition of a ticket — whether Muslim-Muslim, Christian-Christian, Christian-Muslim, or Muslim-Christian. He warned against insults or attacks motivated by the faith of political candidates, stating that citizens have the discernment to evaluate leaders on performance and promises rather than identity.
“Nigerians have sense. They should judge candidates by what they will do and what they have done, not by religion,” he said.
Beyond electoral conduct, Daurawa addressed the role of young people in the political process. He appealed to youth to reject drug abuse, avoid violence and weapons, and engage peacefully in elections. His remarks come amid heightened debate over faith-based balancing in Nigerian presidential politics, a recurring theme since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
Analysts say the intervention by a respected northern Islamic scholar signals a potential shift in discourse, reinforcing the principle that governance capacity should outweigh sectarian calculations. As the 2027 election cycle approaches, such voices may influence how political parties structure tickets and how voters assess leadership qualifications in a deeply diverse society.
