The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has voiced its dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the 2023 presidential election, particularly concerning the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Despite initial support for the same-faith candidacy, the council asserts that the anticipated advantages for the Muslim community have not materialized.
In a statement released on February 26, 2025, the SCSN expressed regret over its endorsement of the Tinubu-Shettima administration. The council highlighted that, contrary to expectations, the Muslim community continues to face political marginalization and has not experienced significant improvements in socio-economic conditions.
This sentiment echoes previous concerns raised by the council. In January 2024, the SCSN withdrew its support for the government, citing unfulfilled promises and a lack of tangible benefits for Muslims nationwide. The council emphasized that their backing of the Muslim-Muslim ticket was predicated on the belief that it would address issues affecting Muslims, a promise they now feel remains unkept.
The SCSN’s recent remarks underscore a growing sense of disenchantment within segments of the Muslim community regarding the current administration’s commitment to addressing their specific concerns. The council has called on the government to take concrete steps to rectify the perceived neglect and to fulfill the pledges made during the election campaign.
As of now, there has been no official response from President Tinubu or Vice President Shettima regarding the SCSN’s statements. Political analysts suggest that this development could have significant implications for the administration’s relationship with religious groups and may influence future political alignments.
