The Kebbi administration warned clerics against political attacks, and called on critics to enter politics

The Kebbi State Government has warned religious leaders against using their pulpits to level inflammatory and unverified accusations against the government, and urged those interested in political criticism to openly join partisan politics.

The warning was issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs following comments attributed to Islamic cleric, Malam Bashir Jega, who reportedly accused the administration of Governor Nasir Idris of failing to support religious activities in Kebbi State.

Responding to these accusations on Sunday, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs Muhammad Zuru rejected the accusations and called them misleading. He asked clerics across the state to avoid statements that could trigger public unrest.

Zuru pointed out that the establishment of the Ministry of Religion and other related bodies by the state government was a testament to its dedication in advancing religious affairs.

“The establishment of the Ministry of Religion with subsidiaries such as the Hisbah Agency, Zakat Agency and Da’wah Agency, all of which were inaugurated by the Kebbi State Government, clearly shows that the administration of Governor Nasir Idris has done a lot for religion in the state,” he said.

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While the government respects the role of religious leaders, the commissioner warned that the government will not tolerate individuals who use religious influence to push political narratives.

“The state government has great respect for imams, pastors and other clerics in Kebbi State. However, the government will not allow opposition clerics who are politicians masquerading as religious leaders to issue inflammatory statements that could disturb the peace of the state,” Zuru said.

He also advised Jega to engage openly in politics if he intended to oppose the government’s actions.

“If he wants to play politics, he should take off his turban and fully join the political arena as an opposition figure and engage the government through constructive criticism rather than making inflammatory statements,” he added.