Senior scholar says clerics who take political roles serve better than those who only pray from the sidelines

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has defended the participation of clerics in active politics, saying engagement is preferable to remaining only as external supplicants.

The debate over clerics entering politics has intensified after several respected Islamic figures pursued elective office in northern Nigeria.

Among those who have drawn attention are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Sheikh Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami and Sokoto-based scholar Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Sani, who in February 2026 declared his intention to run for governor in the 2027 elections.

Critics warn that partisan politics can be corrosive: they argue it exposes scholars to ridicule, political attacks and defamation that may weaken their moral authority and public standing.

Supporters counter that scholars should not be distant while the country suffers poor leadership. They say those with knowledge, integrity and competence have a duty to seek office and directly shape governance rather than limit themselves to sermons and prayers.

Speaking on his Facebook page, Gumi said there was nothing wrong with religious scholars joining politics. “A religious scholar who gets involved in politics and bears its rigours is better than one who sits on a prayer mat, offering prayers for politicians,” he wrote.

Gumi’s comments add fresh speed to a national conversation about the role of religion in public life, especially as figures like Pantami now appear on party tickets — Pantami is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State.

Source: Daily Trust