After assessing the chances of presidential candidates in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, a renowned Northern Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has warned Nigerians against electing an inexperienced and unpatriotic politician as president.



Weighing the chances of candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, and Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, Gumi insisted that Nigeria does not need a novice as president, but an experienced politician to lead Nigeria.

Gumi, however, advised that Nigerians should do away with ethno-religious politics in this 21st century, and come together as one united people for the progress of the country.

While answering questions from journalists in his Kaduna residence on the coming general elections and state of the nation, Gumi noted, when asked about Atiku that had contested for the presidency several times, that there is nothing wrong for politicians to contest election several times until they achieve victory.

On Tinubu’s claim that it is his turn to be president, Gumi said: “It is not proper for him to say it is his turn. No politician should say it is his turn; if people like you, they will vote for you. He is a good administrator; he can do it. The Muslim-Muslim ticket is unnecessary.


“We all know that these politicians are looking for votes. The Muslim-Muslim ticket is deceit. It is not religion. Right now, I cannot say whether it will favour them or not; I don’t want to pre-empt. There are, certainly, a lot hurdles. In fact, political parties have hurdles. Muslim-Muslim ticket is going to be a litmus test at the general elections.”

Speaking of chances the Labour Party presidential candidate, Obi has, the Islamic cleric said: “Youths are divided in their support for him just like the adults. He needs to reach out to other segments of society. Relying on youths is not enough. He has to be all over the place, and not leaving politics in one region.”

Gumi, therefore, warned that if an inexperienced politician were voted into office, he would find it difficult to assemble best brains to set the nation working progressively.