- An Islamic scholar has accused religious leaders of misleading Nigerians into believing former President Goodluck Jonathan was the country’s problem, using mosques and sermons to sway votes.
- He said the current situation in Nigeria showed the dangers of mixing religion and politics.
An Islamic scholar has lamented the current state of affairs in Nigeria, claiming religious leaders and institutions played a key role in turning around public sentiment during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The cleric, in an emotional speech recently, said Nigerians, especially Muslims, had been misled into thinking that Jonathan was solely responsible for the challenges facing the country, largely through religious messaging that framed political choices as a matter of faith rather than governance.
“They misled us into thinking that Goodluck Jonathan was the problem. Every mosque and every cleric preached against his government; they said if you vote for him, you are no longer a Muslim. Look where we are today,” the scholar said.
He believes that using religious platforms to influence political decisions creates deep divisions among voters and affects objective judgment. He believes that many people vote not based on policy, ability or national interest, but out of fear of religious condemnation.
The scholar noted that years after Jonathan left office, Nigeria continues to grapple with worsening insecurity, economic hardship and social instability, prompting many to reassess the narrative that shaped past elections.
