Ade Adebayo
There indications that the presidential ambition of the former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has again met another brick wall as Kano Islamic leaders turned him down.
Tinubu, who is believed to be the favourite candidate to take the number one seat from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, has been making moves to win stakeholders’ support across the country.
It is believed it was on this mission that he graced the wedding ceremony Fatiha of Sheikh Muhammad Bn Usman’s daughter.
This quickly brought about his rumoured endorsement for 2023 by Kano Islamic leaders.
But in what appeared to be a twist of fate, the Kano Islamic leaders on Sunday said they never endorsed any candidate for 2023 presidential race.
Kano State Council Chairman, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, declared that no such endorsement took place.
According to the Muslim leader, rumours on such issue may lead to disaffection among Islamic clerics as they have diverse political allegiance and views.
He said, “Bola Tinubu was in Kano to attend wedding Fatiha of Sheikh Muhammad Bn Usman’s daughter, a political gathering at Mambayya House by Buhari Supporters group and to reciprocate the visit of some Muslim groups across Nigeria that visited him and the Oba of Lagos after the EndSARS protest in Lagos over the loss of lives and properties.
“Some Muslim organisations, including clerics from Kano, visited Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Oba of Lagos after the EndSARS protests in Lagos, where he was commended for the support he accorded Buhari that led to his emergence in the 2015 general elections.”
Sheikh Khalil quoted Tinubu as saying, “I am so overwhelmed with this visit as I never expected it, hopefully, I am going to return the visit.
“He was subsequently notified about the wedding of Sheikh Muhammad Bn Usman’s daughter, which he promised to attend.
“Hence, during the visit, Tinubu expressed willingness to visit the Ulamas, which was practically impossible for him to go from house to house.
“There and then, some of the clerics that were part of the visit to Lagos were assembled and Tinubu came with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. It was there one of the clerics, Shehi Shehi, lauded Tinubu for the support he gave Buhari in 2015, which led to his electoral victory, noting that we would always appreciate you and return your gesture.
“So, it is funny for the media to now report that Ulamas in Kano endorsed Tinubu. Some of the Ulamas are not even in support of APC, while some even in APC have their solidarity for others.”