The Jigawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the purported endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by about 500 Islamic scholars as unfortunate and contrary to the teachings of Islam.

“We reject the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by over 500 Islamic scholars, clerics and preachers who gathered in Dutse at the weekend, because such actions have clearly violated the Principles of religious teachings,” the ADC stated

In a statement signed by Ambassador Nuraddeen Suleiman Jidawa, ADC Youth Ambassador, North, and Deputy Chairman, Jigawa State, the party described the endorsement as unfortunate, urging religious leaders to preserve their independence and moral authority.

The ADC also faulted the communiqué issued at the meeting, particularly the claim that the Tinubu administration initiated the Kano-Dutse/Kano-Maradi railway project.

The party said the project was approved and awarded under former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, and challenged the APC-led Federal Government to identify major capital projects initiated and substantially executed by the Tinubu administration in Jigawa State.

The party also rejected claims of significant improvement in security, particularly in the North-West, citing recent kidnapping and terrorist attacks in Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara.

It further referenced an August 24 Al Jazeera report on a video purportedly showing a large number of abducted persons held by armed men following the reported abduction of hundreds of worshippers in Niger State.

The ADC said the developments made it “irresponsible” to portray Nigeria’s security situation as resolved.

The party urged Islamic scholars and clerics to remain neutral, warning against allowing political influence, money or access to power to compromise their independence and credibility.

It also blamed the removal of the petrol subsidy for worsening transportation, food and other living costs, urging Nigerians to assess the government based on security, economic welfare, employment, infrastructure, transparency and accountability.

The ADC stressed that while it respected individual clerics’ political choices, their endorsements should not be presented as religious verdicts or as representing Nigeria’s Muslim community.

The political crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State has taken a new turn after Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) and Chief Security Officer (CSO) were invited to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The development has raised fresh concerns about the growing rivalry between groups supporting Governor Radda and those loyal to Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Matters.

Sources told PRNigeria that the two officers were taken to the Force Headquarters on August 20, 2026, where they remained for questioning. The police have not publicly explained the specific reasons for the invitation.

Some sources claimed the move followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, over complaints linked to powerful political interests within the APC.

However, the claim could not be independently confirmed.

The governor’s ADC and CSO handle important aspects of his personal security, making their invitation to Abuja a sensitive issue in Katsina’s political and security circles.

Sources familiar with the situation said the development should be viewed against the background of the growing struggle for political control within the Katsina APC.

According to party sources, tensions between the Radda camp and Masari’s supporters have increased in recent months, particularly over control of the party structure and its political direction ahead of 2027.

A senior APC member, who spoke anonymously, said the disagreement had moved beyond normal political competition.

“The disagreement is no longer limited to party politics. It is now affecting institutions that should remain completely insulated from political contests,” the source said.

Party stakeholders have also raised concerns about the increasing use of petitions, invitations and security investigations in settling political disagreements.

They alleged that petitions against political opponents were increasingly being used as part of internal party battles, sometimes leading to invitations or questioning before any allegations were proven.

However, the police have denied reports that the two officers were arrested over a criminal allegation.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, told PRNigeria that the governor’s ADC and CSO were invited to Abuja by the Inspector-General of Police for questioning over issues originating from Katsina State.

Iniedu said the officers were not invited over any alleged criminal offence.

He added that preliminary investigations had established that neither officer had committed a crime.