According to reports, a dispute broke out during Friday’s sermon in Taraba State when a Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo, was critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The cleric was preaching during Juma’at prayers when the event happened.
When Jalo Jalingo said that the Tinubu government was not oppressive, he was supposedly referring to that administration.
A worshipper, nevertheless, yelled out, “That’s a lie!” in response to the claim.
As the dispute escalated, footage shot inside the mosque showed several attendees leaving in anger.
Several social media users have responded to the cleric’s remarks and the congregation’s reaction, drawing attention to the issue online.
The people of Taraba State are being urged by Jalo Jalingo, in a Facebook post that he made on Saturday morning, to be patient and cast their ballots for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the next elections.
In his message, he urged the citizens of Taraba State to show maturity, discernment, and patience by casting their ballots for the All Progressives Congress (APC). We hope that by making this decision, we will finally stop the 20 years of injustice and oppression that our state has been through.
Additionally, the religious leader contended that supporting the PDP and APGA would mean perpetuating what he characterised as systemic injustice in the state.
He further warned that voting for the ADC or NDC would be the same as voting for the same political parties from the last 20 years.
“Really, the best course of action in this year’s election is for everyone in our country to be patient and cast their ballots for the APC,” he continued, lifting his prayer to Allah for the state’s prosperity and development.
Respondents on Facebook
There have been a variety of responses to the cleric’s message, with some users challenging his stance and the suggestion that locals rally behind the APC.
Rufai Abubakar Fta questioned the cleric’s motivations for taking a political stance, asking if it was based on public interest or on personal gain.
This is your dream, he said, and it’s for your profit alone, not for Nigerians or the people of Taraba State.