March 15, 2026 — News
A northern Islamic cleric has accused President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) of earmarking ₦500 billion to mobilise Muslim clerics and traditional rulers in the North ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking exclusively to reporters, the cleric, whose identity could not be independently verified, claimed he was approached by the party to lead the mobilisation project but refused the offer.
“They invited me to join the campaign project and said whoever leads it would receive five percent of the ₦500 billion. I refused and warned them never to bring such a proposal to me again,” the cleric said, adding that Christian leaders were also to receive a separate allocation under the scheme.
He further alleged that the APC suggested he consult with a pastor responsible for the Christian mobilisation component, but he declined. “I am not and cannot be part of the project,” he stated.
Highlighting the wider implications, the cleric claimed clerics often play influential roles in directing voters and warned against political manipulation. “Voting is an act of worship, and clerics must guide the electorate responsibly and protect the dignity of our communities,” he said.
The cleric’s allegations, if verified, suggest an attempt by political actors to secure religious backing through substantial financial inducements, raising ethical and legal concerns about the upcoming election campaign.
— SUNTV Global Channel Reporting
