A leading figure of the Tijaniyyah movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Maqari, has dissociated the movement from endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari.
On Sunday, a group named “Tijjaniya SUFI Movement of Nigeria” asked its followers nationwide to vote for Mr Buhari in the coming election.
In a statement signed by the chairman of the group, Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, the group said it resolved to endorse the president because “he has been tested and could be trusted for a second tenure”.
But Mr Maqari, who is an Imam at the National Mosque, dissociated the movement from the endorsement, saying all their followers should vote according to dictate of their conscience.
“Tijaniyah is a Sufi order not association. Tijaniyah has not forced any of its followers to vote for any candidate,” Mr Maqari said.
“Leaders of order only called on the followers to ensure that they voted for leaders and representatives who are honest, upright, pious and patriotic without recourse to their political leaning.
“Everyone must be ready to just justify the choice of leaders and representative before Allah.”
