Drama As Clerics Oppose Female APC Candidate in Katsina over Political and Religious Debate

Tensions are rising in Katsina State following growing opposition from some Islamic clerics to the emergence of Jamilu Abdu-Mani as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

Mrs Abdu-Mani, who currently serves as Special Adviser to the governor on girl-child education and child development, was recently named the party’s consensus candidate for the Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency. Her nomination, however, has stirred controversy within both political and religious circles.

The selection process itself had already been fraught. An earlier consensus candidate, Ahmad Saleh, was dropped following protests from rival aspirants, including the incumbent lawmaker, Ahmad Yusuf. The APC had opted for a consensus arrangement overseen by a high-powered committee led by former governor Aminu Masari, alongside regional coordinators Ibrahim Ida, Ibrahim Jukamshi and Ahmad Dangiwa.

Yet beyond party disagreements, the strongest resistance has emerged from sections of the religious community in Mani and Bindawa. During a teaching session at the Lowcost Mosque, cleric Abu Abdullahi urged constituents to reject her candidacy on religious grounds.

Drawing on his interpretation of Islamic teachings, he argued that leadership roles should not be entrusted to women, warning that such decisions conflict with established doctrine.

In a similar vein, another cleric, Usman Salisu, used his Jumu’ah sermon to call on local authorities and community leaders to challenge the decision, even at personal cost. He cautioned that appointing a woman to leadership could have serious societal implications, again citing religious tradition.

The development has placed Mrs Abdu-Mani at the centre of a sensitive and deeply human debate one that goes beyond politics to touch on faith, cultural expectations and the evolving role of women in public life. For many supporters, her candidacy represents progress in a region where female political participation remains limited. For her critics, it raises questions about the balance between religious conviction and democratic inclusion.

As the 2027 elections approach, the unfolding situation in Katsina is likely to test not only party unity within the APC but also broader conversations about gender, leadership and identity in northern Nigeria.