A Muslim cleric in Taraba State, Sheikh Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo, has come under criticism after urging residents to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming elections, following a reported disagreement with a worshipper over his assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The controversy reportedly began during Juma’at prayers when Jalo Jalingo, while delivering his Friday sermon at a mosque, declared that the Tinubu-led government was not oppressive.
However, one of the worshippers immediately challenged his position, shouting, “That’s a lie!”
A video recorded inside the mosque showed some members of the congregation subsequently walking out in protest as the disagreement unfolded.
The incident has since generated reactions on social media, with several users questioning the cleric’s comments and the decision to discuss the performance of the federal government during a religious sermon.
In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, Jalo Jalingo issued what he described as advice to the people of Taraba State, urging them to exercise patience and political maturity by voting for the APC in the forthcoming elections.
He wrote: “We have advised our respected people of Taraba State to exercise patience, wisdom and political maturity by voting for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Through this choice, In Sha Allah, we believe we can set ourselves on the path towards liberation from the oppression and injustice that our state has endured for over 20 years.”
The cleric further argued that voting for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would amount to sustaining what he described as longstanding injustice in the state.
He also cautioned residents against supporting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), suggesting that doing so would amount to repeating political choices made over the past two decades.
“Indeed, the most appropriate decision in this year’s election is for all our people to exercise further patience and vote for the APC,” he added, while praying for Allah’s guidance and success for the state.
Facebook Users React
The cleric’s political position has attracted mixed reactions, with several Facebook users questioning his endorsement of the APC and the implications of his involvement in partisan politics.
Rufai Abubakar Fta questioned whether Jalo Jalingo’s position was motivated by the interests of Taraba residents or his personal ambitions.
He wrote: “This is your ambition and for your personal benefit, not for the people of Taraba State or Nigerians.”
Another commenter, Malam Adamu Chilariye, accused the cleric of allowing political interests to undermine public confidence in his religious teachings.
He wrote: “You have made people no longer listen to what Allah and His Messenger said because of your involvement in politics and personal interests.”
Gambo Basiru Jata also appeared to make reference to the reported disagreement at the mosque, asking: “Ya Sheikh, this early morning, abi you dream about the challenges you faced yesterday?”
Similarly, Mubaraq Dan Funtua questioned why the cleric had made another Facebook post without first addressing the incident that reportedly occurred during the previous day’s sermon.
The controversy comes amid growing political activities and public debates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with political endorsements and the involvement of religious leaders in partisan campaigns attracting increased attention.
