Don’t Make 2027 Elections About Religion, Focus On Competence — Sheikh Daurawa Urges Nigerians

A prominent Islamic scholar, *Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa*, has urged Nigerians not to turn elections into a religious issue, saying voters should prioritize competence and good governance over the faith of candidates.

Daurawa made the call on Wednesday during an interview with *DW*, monitored by _MOUTHPIECE NIGERIA_. He was reacting to comments by fellow cleric *Sheikh Sani Jingir*, who expressed support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, politics should be about service delivery, not 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 said.

The cleric argued that Nigeria’s democracy is not founded on religion and the Constitution does not recognize any political party as Islamic or Christian.

_“Is there any party registered by INEC as an Islamic party or a Christian party? Does any party have a religious manifesto?”_ he asked.

Daurawa said Nigerians should be free to vote for any ticket — whether *Muslim-Muslim, Christian-Christian, Christian-Muslim or Muslim-Christian*. He warned against insults and attacks based on the religious composition of tickets.

_“Nigerians have sense. They should judge candidates by what they will do and what they have done, not by religion,”_ he added.

The scholar also called on youths to shun drug abuse, reject violence, and participate peacefully in the electoral process.