A coalition of Islamic leaders under the umbrella of the North West Muslim Elders Forum has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard recent statements made by the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN), Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, describing his comments as self-serving and politically motivated.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman North West Muslim Elders Forum, Sheikh Imam Zikrillah, the Forum strongly criticised Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar’s call for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, saying the demand lacked merit and was aimed at undermining democratic institutions.
The elders argued that the SCSN President’s criticisms of the Tinubu administration, particularly on tax reforms, were misleading and intended to stir public resentment against the federal government.
According to the Forum, the tax policies introduced by the administration are reforms designed to promote transparency, accountability and national development, contrary to Dr. Bashir Umar’s portrayal of them as anti-poor.
The North West Muslim Elders Forum also accused Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar of attempting to pressure the Presidency to intervene in the Kano emirate crisis in favour of his close associate, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
They described this as an inappropriate use of religious influence to advance personal political interests.
The statement further alleged that Dr. Bashir’s sudden opposition to tax reforms was a deliberate distraction from concerns surrounding the high fees charged at a private school he owns and manages.
The Forum cautioned Nigerians against individuals who, in their words, “hide behind religion to pursue personal agendas,” and urged President Tinubu to remain focused on governance and ongoing reforms.
They reiterated their support for the administration’s policies, calling on the President to ignore what they termed “politically motivated distractions disguised as religious advocacy.”
