North West Muslim Elders Urge Tinubu to Ignore Bashir Aliyu Umar’s Calls
The North West Muslim Elders Forum has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard recent statements by the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN), Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, describing his comments as reckless, misleading, and driven by personal interests.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Sheikh Imam Zikrillah, the Forum strongly condemned Dr. Umar’s call for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.
The elders described the demand as baseless and a calculated attempt to weaken democratic institutions for selfish political purposes.
The Forum also accused Dr. Umar of deliberately attacking Federal Government policies, particularly recent tax reforms, in a bid to incite public discontent and discredit the Tinubu administration. According to the elders, the tax reforms are designed to promote accountability and national development, contrary to claims that they are targeted at the poor.
They further alleged that Dr. Umar’s comments were aimed at blackmailing the Presidency into intervening in the ongoing Kano emirate crisis, allegedly to protect the personal interests of his close associate, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. The Forum described this as an inappropriate use of religious influence to pursue political loyalty.
The elders also questioned Dr. Umar’s sudden opposition to tax reforms, claiming it was a diversionary tactic to deflect attention from concerns over substantial school fees reportedly collected at a private educational institution he owns and operates.
The North West Muslim Elders Forum warned Nigerians to be cautious of individuals who, according to them, hide behind religion to advance personal agendas. They called on President Tinubu to remain focused on governance and reform efforts while ignoring what they described as politically motivated distractions presented as religious advocacy.
