Political activist and Islamic scholar, Dr Usman Bugaje, has described Nigeria’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as a “fraud,” accusing politicians of exploiting religion to win votes without addressing the challenges facing citizens.
Bugaje spoke at a one-day summit organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria in Kano on Saturday. The event, themed “Dilemma of Muslims in Nigeria: The Way Forward,” focused on insecurity, poverty, governance and religious discrimination.
He argued that having Muslim leaders in government does not guarantee the protection of Muslim interests, citing persistent insecurity and economic hardship as evidence of poor leadership.
The scholar raised concerns about the security situation in northern Nigeria, alleging that Boko Haram insurgents continued to operate around Maiduguri, where they reportedly collected taxes and settled disputes. He also claimed that travel to Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State was severely restricted, with residents relying on security escorts.
Bugaje further criticised Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines, claiming that about 70 per cent of drugs used in the country came from abroad. He called for stronger local pharmaceutical production and warned that drug abuse among young people and women posed a serious social challenge.
He maintained that political leaders should be judged by their performance and improvements in citizens’ welfare rather than their religious identity.
