The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Senator Abdulaziz Yari yesterday met with Muslim clerics across certain states in the North Central, North west and North east geo-political zones in the country as the ruling party continued consultations continued ahead of the 2027 general election.
The consultation was part of efforts by the APC PCC to seek the buy-in of the religious leaders for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
Those on Yari’s entourage include the National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, former Kano State Governor and APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Adamu Aliero; and Senator Nasiru Daura.
Also, on the consultative tour were: Hon. James Faleke and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Wase.
The consultation took Yari and his team to Jos, Plateau state, Kano, Kaduna and Bauchi states where he met with Muslim scholars who are leaders of the Izala, Tijjaniyya, JIBWIS and Qadiriyya sects.
In Jos, Yari and his team were received by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, Chairman of the Council of Ulama of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS).
The delegation was received in Bauchi by Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, Khalifa of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Zawiya, who prayed for President Tinubu and urged that dialogue between the state and the religious community be sustained, not seasonal.
In Kaduna, Yari had long deliberations with Sheikh Abdullahi Lau, National Chairman of the Kaduna faction of JIBWIS.
They held discussions on burning national issues like security, economic hardship and how to sustain mutual trust in communities of diverse ethnic nationalities.
In his remarks, Sheikh Bala Lau, commended Yari for extending hands of fellowship but admonished leaders at every level to listen more and to speak to the people with sincerity.
Similarly, in Kano where the APC leaders concluded their consultations with Muslim clerics, Yari met with leader of the Qadiriyya movement, Sheikh Qaribullahi Kabara, who offered special prayers for peace in Nigeria and for the success of the Council’s work.
He further urged the delegation to carry the message of unity to every corner of the federation.