Confusion over Sheik Dahiru Bauchi’s endorsement

There is confusion over the endorsement of Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, for the 2023 elections by Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, supreme leader of the Islamic Sufi group known as the Tijaniyyah.

Earlier in the day, Daily Trust obtained the message where the prominent Islamic scholar said some of his people were for Atiku and he was not against them.

“You can’t bite true believers twice, some people were saying vote for who will continue from where they stop, we didn’t enjoy where they stopped. Majority of my People told me that they will vote for Atiku , and I will not leave my people, I will be with my people to see what almighty Allah will do.

“We are praying to Allah to give Nigeria the best leader who will ease the sufferings of Nigeria and bring rapid development,” he had said.

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Chairman, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, confirmed to Daily Trust that the audio where the Sheikh spoke is real.

In a video interview with the VOA, he asked people to vote whoever they were convinced with.

But reacting to the viral video on Atiku’s endorsement, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement by Mahmud Jega, Special Adviser, Public Affairs to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s flag bearer said the video in circulation was meant to misguide the public.

The statement, titled, ‘Alleged Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s Endorsement is a Hoax’, reads: “We found it rather absurd that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaigners would extend their desperation to desecrating and manipulating a revered Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi and his voice to secure cheap buy-in of voters who have rejected the party and its candidate.

“The video in circulation was meant to misguide the public after a discredited member of the Sheikh’s family is used to obtain disjointed statements from the Sheikh that were used to string together orchestrated message.

“For the records, it should be noted that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate had at various times received blessings and endorsement of the revered cleric, the latest was on 3rd February, 2023, when the Sheikh clearly prayed for the success of Asiwaju and Kashim Shettima.

“We saw the blessings and endorsement of the Sheikh, like those of other respected religious and community leaders as sacred words of confidence in our candidates that should not be reduced to cheap political tools.

“We pity PDP’s search for straws in its bid to save itself from its impending drowning come Saturday.

“We also appreciate the prayers and endorsement received from many respected leaders including Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, among other clerics from different faiths and denominations.”