A prominent Sokoto based Islamic cleric has publicly questioned why Nigerians should support President Bola Tinubu for a second term. Sheikh Murtala Bello Asada made the remarks in a video that circulated widely on social media this week. He directed his challenge at the president’s campaign team.
Asada asked whether a reelection would simply mean more killings continuing in states such as Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara.
He also raised the issue of the president continuing to benefit from a presidential jet reported to have cost around 150 billion naira and a related yacht.
Asada is a well known Islamic scholar in Sokoto who has long spoken out against banditry and insecurity in the North West. He has repeatedly accused the government of failing to protect communities from armed groups that kill residents and kidnap people. In earlier statements this year he said it would be extremely difficult to campaign for Tinubu in the North in 2027 because of the impact of insecurity and economic hardship on ordinary families. The cleric has also faced personal risks for his activism. He survived an assassination attempt at his Sokoto home in January 2025 after publicly criticizing a major bandit leader.
The video highlighting his latest comments was shared by an account associated with the African Democratic Congress. It comes as the All Progressives Congress prepares for the 2027 presidential election. Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the former governor of Zamfara State, serves as Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. Yari has been leading consultations with traditional rulers in places including Katsina in recent days to seek support for Tinubu’s reelection. Campaign officials have said the formal flag off is scheduled for Kaduna on October 24.
Insecurity remains a major issue across the North West. Armed groups continue to attack villages, markets and roads in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna. Human rights groups have documented hundreds of deaths and abductions in these states in recent months. Amnesty International has described the situation in parts of Zamfara as a forgotten conflict and has called on authorities to do more to protect civilians. Recent reports include sieges on communities, ambushes on travelers and mass kidnappings. Government officials have pointed to military operations, the recruitment of forest guards and other measures as steps being taken to address the problem.
The presidential jet has drawn criticism since its purchase. The administration acquired an Airbus A330 aircraft for roughly 100 million dollars, a figure widely reported as around 150 billion naira at the time. The plane was later sent to South Africa for refurbishment and repainting before returning to Abuja. Officials have defended the acquisition as a cost saving measure that will reduce long term maintenance and fuel expenses compared with older aircraft in the fleet. Critics argue the spending occurred while many Nigerians face economic hardship.
A separate controversy involved a naval vessel that appeared in the 2023 supplementary budget under the description of a presidential yacht at a cost of about 5 billion naira. The government later clarified that the boat was ordered under the previous administration for naval operations with specialized security features. It was not intended for the president’s personal leisure. The item still became a symbol of perceived government excess for many citizens.
Asada’s comments add to a series of criticisms from northern voices as the election season approaches. The cleric has previously called for investigations into allegations that some officials maintain ties to bandit groups. His latest remarks focus on the choice facing voters between addressing violence in affected states and the continued use of high cost government assets. Campaign activities continue in several states as both sides prepare their cases for the January 2027 vote.
