A controversial statement attributed to the Mufti of Iwo has reignited debate over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, political loyalty, and the influence of religious identity on voting decisions in Nigeria.
The statement, which expresses dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s capacity to govern while simultaneously advocating support for his candidacy, presents a striking contradiction that is likely to attract attention as political discussions surrounding the next presidential election intensify.
The quote attributed to the Mufti of Iwo reads:
“We Muslims know Tinubu is INCAPABLE of governing Nigeria. As a matter of fact, we will regret his regime as the worst kind ever recorded in Nigeria’s History.
“However, we still have to vote for him.”
— Mufti of Iwo
The statement raises a fundamental question: why would voters support a political leader they believe is incapable of governing effectively?
A Contradiction Between Leadership and Political Loyalty
If accurately attributed, the statement reflects a tension between dissatisfaction with a political leader and the perceived obligation to support that leader at the ballot box.
The remark is particularly striking because it does not merely question Tinubu’s performance; it predicts that his administration could be remembered as one of the worst in Nigeria’s history. Yet, despite this strongly worded criticism, the speaker’s reported conclusion is that Muslims should still vote for him.
The apparent contradiction raises questions about the considerations that influence political choices in Nigeria, where party affiliation, personal interests, regional relationships, religious identity, and expectations of political representation can all feature in public debate.
However, the quotation alone does not establish why the speaker would advocate voting for Tinubu despite the criticism. Any explanation of that position would require further context from the original statement or the speaker himself.
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