By SUNTV Global Channel
August 16, 2026 | Politics
Islamic scholar Malam Abdulrahaman Nuhu Almaliky has defended the Muslim-Muslim leadership of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, saying he would prefer hardship under a Muslim leader to material comfort under a non-Muslim leader.
Almaliky, a member of the leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah in Jos, Plateau State, made the remarks in a sermon that appeared to respond to recent comments by another Islamic cleric, Sheikh Nurul Khalil.
Speaking about religious leadership, Almaliky said: “For me, having a Muslim as leader while I eat grass is better than having an infidel as leader while I eat chicken every day.”
The cleric argued that Muslim political leadership provides what he described as religious benefits, claiming that certain matters that could negatively affect Islam would be prevented or concealed under Muslim leadership.
He said some Muslims had failed to appreciate what he considered the religious advantages of the current administration.
According to Almaliky, his support for the Tinubu-Shettima arrangement was not primarily about the individuals involved but about advancing Islam.
“We are not campaigning for Tinubu; we are campaigning for Islam,” he said.
The scholar also attributed some of the hardship experienced by Nigerians to what he described as violations of Islamic teachings by individuals, arguing that not every case of suffering could be blamed entirely on government policies.
His comments come amid renewed debate over religious representation in Nigeria’s political leadership.
The Tinubu-Shettima Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket was one of the most controversial issues surrounding the 2023 presidential election, with supporters arguing that competence and political considerations should take precedence over religious balancing, while critics raised concerns about inclusiveness and representation.
Almaliky’s remarks followed earlier comments by prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, who openly advocated Muslim-Muslim political tickets and urged Muslims to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of future elections.
Jingir had also defended his position while acknowledging opposition from Christians and other religious groups.
He urged Muslims to support Muslim-Muslim candidates, declaring that he would not back down from the position.
The remarks by both clerics have generated renewed discussion about religion, political leadership and national unity in Nigeria, with critics warning that language portraying followers of other faiths as “infidels” could deepen religious tensions in the country.
As of the time of this report, there had been no public response from the Presidency or Sheikh Nurul Khalil to Almaliky’s latest comments.
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