Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has thrown his weight behind clerics seeking political office, insisting they are doing more for society than those who only pray for politicians from the sidelines.
The fiery debate over whether Islamic scholars should stay on the pulpit or step into the political arena has split opinion, especially across northern Nigeria.
The controversy intensified after top clerics, including former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Sheikh Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and Sokoto-based scholar Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Sani, openly embraced politics. Pantami is now the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Gombe State, while Sani declared his ambition to contest the 2027 Sokoto governorship.
Critics argue that politics is too dirty, divisive and full of insults for respected religious leaders, warning that partisan battles could damage their credibility and moral authority.
But supporters disagree, insisting Nigeria needs honest and competent leaders, and that scholars should not watch from the sidelines while others mismanage the country.
Joining the debate on Monday via Facebook, Gumi declared that there is absolutely nothing wrong with clerics taking part in politics.
According to him, scholars who enter politics and endure its challenges deserve more praise than those who remain outside offering prayers for elected officials.
“A religious scholar who gets involved in politics and bears its rigours is better than one who sits on a prayer mat, offering prayers for politicians,” Gumi wrote.
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