The leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Jos faction, has suspended renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Alkali Abubakar Salihu Zaria from delivering his Ramadan Qur’anic exegesis at Mokas Mosque, Damaturu. The suspension follows a recent sermon in which Sheikh Alkali openly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, northwest governors, and corrupt officials over the escalating insecurity ravaging the region.
The decision came after a meeting convened by the National Chairman of the JIBWIS Council of Ulama, Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, involving state and local representatives. Sources reveal that Sheikh Alkali was reprimanded for using “strongly-worded statements” against political figures and for addressing insecurity in a manner deemed inconsistent with the organisation’s accepted methods.
During his sermon, Sheikh Alkali condemned kidnappings, banditry, and the apparent lack of political will from state leaders, highlighting the paralyzing fear caused by powerful figures in society. He described harrowing scenarios, saying, “People are abducted and traded as though they are cattle… Families implore even though the abductors are complete ignorant. They will beat and kick their victims… Often they will stamp their feet on their victim’s stomach in Ramadan.”
He further criticised the political culture of power worship, stating, “Look at how state governors fear Tinubu much more than they fear Allah… If you are in the APC, you are treated like a saint. If you are a member of the opposition, you will be treated like a devil.”
In response to his suspension, Sheikh Alkali took to Facebook to accept the decision in good faith, urging his followers to remain steadfast and disciplined. He described JIBWIS leader Jingir as not only a religious authority but a father figure.
The announcement triggered heated discussions on social media. While some youths condemned the suspension as unjust, accusing the JIBWIS leadership of silence during critical times, others dismissed Sheikh Alkali’s sermon as theatrical.
One critic, Ahmad Usman El-Nafaty, argued, “There is nothing impressive in what Alkali said. He is simply turning Tafseer sessions into comedy.” Conversely, supporters like Ibraheem Ahmad defended the cleric’s outspokenness, declaring, “Clerics are the last hope of ordinary Nigerians… What Alkali said was the bitter truth.”
The suspension has ignited wider debate on the role of religious leaders in political discourse and the limits of their critique amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
