“They misled us into thinking Goodluck Jonathan was the problem” – Islamic Scholar Cries Out

• An Islamic scholar has accused religious leaders of misleading Nigerians into believing former President Goodluck Jonathan was the country’s problem, using mosques and sermons to influence votes.
• He says the current state of Nigeria shows the danger of mixing religion with politics.

An Islamic scholar has lamented the state of Nigeria, claiming that religious leaders and institutions played a key role in turning public sentiment against former President Goodluck Jonathan during his time in office.

Speaking emotionally in a recent address, the cleric said Nigerians—particularly Muslims—were misled into believing that Jonathan was solely responsible for the country’s challenges, largely through religious messaging that framed political choices as matters of faith rather than governance.

“They misled us into thinking Goodluck Jonathan was the problem. Every mosque and every cleric was preaching against his administration; they said if you vote for him, you are no longer a Muslim. Look at where we are today,” the scholar said.

According to him, the use of religious platforms to influence political decisions created deep divisions and clouded objective judgment among voters. He argued that many people voted not based on policies, competence, or national interest, but out of fear of religious condemnation.

The scholar noted that years after Jonathan left office, Nigeria continues to grapple with worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and social instability, prompting many to reassess the narratives that shaped past elections.