A Friday sermon by Sheikh Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo in Nigeria’s Taraba State triggered a dispute inside a mosque after a congregant publicly rejected the cleric’s view of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The exchange took place during Juma’at prayers as Jalo Jalingo addressed worshippers. While discussing the Tinubu administration, the cleric reportedly said the federal government was not oppressive. A member of the congregation immediately interrupted him, shouting: “That’s a lie!”
Footage filmed inside the mosque showed that several worshippers left the building as the argument developed. The incident subsequently drew broad attention online, where social-media users debated both the cleric’s comments and the reaction from those present.
On Saturday morning, Jalo Jalingo published a Facebook message describing it as guidance for residents of Taraba State. He called on them to remain patient and support the All Progressives Congress, or APC, in the next elections.
“We have advised our respected people of Taraba State to exercise patience, wisdom and political maturity by voting for the All Progressives Congress, APC,” he wrote. “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 said a vote for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, would prolong what he portrayed as decades of unfairness in Taraba. He also warned against backing the African Democratic Congress, ADC, or the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, arguing that doing so could repeat political decisions made during the previous 20 years.
“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, offering prayers for divine direction and the state’s success.
Online criticism follows political endorsement
The Facebook statement prompted mixed responses, with a number of commenters challenging the cleric’s support for the APC and his appeal to Taraba voters.
Rufai Abubakar Fta questioned whether Jalo Jalingo’s stance reflected public interests or personal objectives. “This is your ambition and for your personal benefit, not for the people of Taraba State or Nigerians,” he wrote.
Another commenter, Malam Adamu Chilariye, said the cleric’s political involvement had undermined confidence in his religious messages. “You have made people no longer listen to what Allah and His Messenger said because of your involvement in politics and personal interests,” he wrote.
Gambo Basiru Jata appeared to allude to the confrontation at Friday prayers, asking: “Ya Sheikh, this early morning, abi you dream about the challenges you faced yesterday?”
Mubaraq Dan Funtua likewise questioned why the cleric had issued another political post without first addressing the reported incident at the mosque.
The message and the public dispute come as political alignments and voter choices are drawing increasing scrutiny ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
