By Imam Murtadha Gusau
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may blessings and peace be upon the one whom Allah sent as a mercy to all creation, and upon his family, companions, and brothers until the Day of Judgment. To proceed:
Dear brothers and sisters! Preparations for the 2027 General Elections in Nigeria are heavily underway. Key regulatory bodies, security agencies, and international partners have established timelines and structural shifts to guide the upcoming political cycle under the provisions of the newly introduced Electoral Act 2026.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the final list of presidential candidates and their running mates for the January 2027 general elections.
The list, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, was released in Abuja and contains candidates sponsored by 18 political parties.
Of the 18 presidential candidates, 16 are male, while two are female.
The male presidential candidates include Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Gregory Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party and Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement.
Others are Donald Duke of the People’s Redemption Party, Sunday Chibuzo Okereke of the Labour Party, Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress, Sandy Ojang Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party, Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje of the Action Alliance and Aliyu Abbas-Bin of the Action Democratic Party.
Also on the list are Kabiru Yusuf of the Allied Peoples Party, Sunday Adenuga of the Boot Party, Moses Olusoji Adebisi of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement, Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party and Peter Ada Agada of the Young Progressive Party.
The two female presidential candidates are Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori of the National Democratic Party and Nkem Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement.
The commission also listed 14 male and four female vice-presidential candidates.
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The female running mates are Peace Egobia Ofordile of the Allied Peoples Party, Nafisat Usaku Abubakar of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, Hajja Bintu Konto of the Labour Party and Patience Ndidi Key of the Young Progressive Party.
The full list is as follows:
- APC: Bola Tinubu (74)/Kashim Shettima (59).
- ADC: Atiku Abubakar (79)/Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (61).
- NDC: Peter Gregory Obi (65)/Musa Mohammed Rabiu Kwankwaso (69).
- LP: Sunday Chibuzo Okereke (43)/Hajja Bintu Konto (54).
- PDP: Sandy Ojang Onor (60)/Umaru Babangida (61).
- AA: Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje/Shehu Hussaini.
- ADP: Aliyu Abbas-Bin/Chinazam Ike.
- APP: Kabiru Yusuf/Peace Egobia Ofordile.
- AAC: Omoyele Sowore/Haruna Garba Magashi.
- APM: Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde (58)/Musa Lawal Daura.
- BP: Sunday Adenuga/Usman Turaki Mustapha.
- DLA: Moses Olusoji Adebisi/Nafisat Usaku Abubakar.
- NDP: Ada Elizabeth Fredrick Okwori/Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka.
- NRM: Nkem Esther Okereke/Nasir Muhammed Sulaiman.
- PRP: Donald Duke/Kabiru Rabiu.
- SDP: Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo/Usman Muhammed Bugaje.
- YPP: Peter Ada Agada/Patience Ndidi Key.
- ZLP: Daniel Daberechukwu Nwanyanwu/Hassan Khalid.
Respected brothers and sisters! No doubt, Allah the Most High already knows who will win the 2027 Nigerian presidential, governors, senators, house of representatives, state assembly’s elections, but people still have the duty to vote and choose good leaders.
All Muslim believers believe that Allah the Most High knows the past, the present, and the future. Nothing happens on Earth without His will and knowledge. Allah already knows who the next president of Nigeria will be. Even though Allah knows the future, He gives humans the ability to make choices. Knowing Allah is in control does not mean people should stay at home. Nigerians must still register, campaign, and cast their votes.
Yes, when people say a candidate will win In Shaa Allah (if Allah wills), they show trust in Allah while still doing the work to support their choice.
Islam teaches justice, honesty, and responsibility. Voters should support leaders who bring peace and unity, fix the economy, and help the country grow. Religious and political leaders advise citizens to avoid fighting or dividing people along religious and ethnic lines during the election.
Dear brothers and sisters! Allah the Almighty says:
“Say, ‘O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You exalt whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'”
The above-mentioned Qur’anic verse “Quli-llahummah malikal-mulk…” is Surah Ali Imran (Qur’an, 3:26), which declares Allah’s absolute sovereignty, power over all creation, and control over honour, disgrace, and destiny.
Allah alone owns the universe and everything in it. Earthly power belongs to Him and is only lent temporarily to humans. Kingdoms, wealth, and authority rise and fall by His wisdom, not by human might alone. True dignity comes from obedience to Allah. He raises whoever He wills through faith and righteousness and humbles those who turn away. Even when trials or the loss of power happen, it operates under His ultimate wisdom and supreme good. Evil is not attributed to His essence directly, but rather to outcomes or tests that ultimately serve a wise, good purpose.
According to several Qur’anic commentators (Mufassirun) like Imam Ibn Kathir and Imam Ibn Jarir Al-Tabari, this Qur’anic verse was revealed during times of strategic difficulty or promise—such as when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) promised his followers that the kingdoms of Persia and Rome would fall to Islam, prompting skeptics or hypocrites to doubt how such a thing could happen.
The word “Say” (Qul) instructs the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)—and by extension every Muslim believer—to internalise complete reliance on Allah. It teaches gratitude when given blessings and patience/peace of mind when power or status is removed.
The Qur’anic verse concludes with Innaka ala kulli shai’in qadir (Indeed, You are over all things competent), reminding the Muslim believer that no leader is too powerful for Allah to depose, and no Muslim believer is too weak for Allah to elevate.
Fellow brothers and sisters! In Islamic theology, the concept of divine decree (Qadar) dictates that Allah already knows who will win Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, as His knowledge encompasses all things past, present, and future. From a spiritual perspective, nothing happens except by His permission and absolute knowledge. However, Islamic scholars emphasise that this divine knowledge does not negate human responsibility or the necessity of taking action. Islam balances divine destiny with the duty of human effort (Sabab), meaning citizens must still play their part intentionally and ethically.
While the final outcome is ultimately predetermined by Allah, voters and political candidates are expected to fulfill their worldly responsibilities. Muslim believers believe they are accountable for their choices.
Therefore, voting should be treated as a serious responsibility to choose a leader based on character, justice, and capability to improve society.
Saying “Allah already knows” is not a justification for staying at home, refusing to vote, or ignoring governance issues. Human effort is a fundamental part of Iman (the faith).
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, political discussions heavily intertwine with religious endorsements and debates. High-profile groups, such as over 500 Northern Islamic scholars, have publicly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing infrastructure and security progress.
But conversely, other leaders and politicians, like former Kano state Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have cautioned against using religious tickets to create division. Some government officials also warn that candidates should be judged on accountability, economic performance, and governance rather than solely on faith.
Ultimately, while the outcome is written in divine knowledge, the democratic process requires Nigerians to vote conscientiously for the advancement of their nation.
Please, let the remaining presidential candidates in Nigerian 2027 election be patience if Allah Almighty choose one of them.
Our call for patience, peace, and faith in the divine will of Almighty Allah is a beautiful reminder of what truly matters as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 presidential election.
Politics can often bring division and tension, but as the campaigns unfold, the reminder to accept whatever outcome Allah the Almighty decrees is essential for peace.
Main political figures like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NDC, and Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa are preparing for the polls.
Our message echoes the hopes of many citizens. Let all the candidates approach the contest with maturity, putting the peace and unity of the nation ahead of personal ambitions.
Finally, alhamdulillah! The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially announced a two-day national programme featuring a Special National Prayer for Nigeria and its General Assembly. The events are scheduled to take place as follows:
- Special National Prayer: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..
It is designed for Muslims to collectively seek divine guidance, peace, unity, security, and sustainable development for the nation, especially amidst ongoing security challenges and ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- NSCIA General Assembly: Thursday, October 1, 2026 (Nigeria’s Independence Day), starting at 10:00 a.m..
As the highest decision-making organ of the council, it will bring together Muslim public office holders, Islamic organisations, and representatives from all 36 states and the FCT. Both events will take place at the Abuja National Mosque Complex.
I pray, may Allah the Almighty grant Nigerians the wisdom to make the best choices, the strength to hold leaders accountable, and the grace to accept the final outcome in peace. Ameen!
Ultimately, leadership comes from a higher power. Let us continue to pray for a peaceful transition, a stable economy, and a leader who will genuinely look out for the well-being of all Nigerians.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.