WorldStage– Nigeria’s Presidency has dismissed the allegation levied against Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu by a Muslim cleric, Sunusi Khalil, that he approved ₦500 billion to bribe religious and traditional leaders in the northern part of the country to influence public opinion.
Khalil has a history of legal scrutiny for his sermons. In 2015, he was reportedly detained by the SSS for approximately 48 hours following “inciting statements” and was released after signing an undertaking to maintain good behavior and avoid provocative political utterances.
Reacting to the cleric’s allegation on Monday in Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Bayo Onanuga dismissed the claim as “tales by moonlight”.
Also reacting to the allegation, a public/political commentator, Sunday Wale Adeniran, criticised Khalil for allegedly spreading unverified and inflammatory claims.
Adeniran said unless public evidence is presented to support the ₦500 billion claim relevant authorities, such as the Department of State Services (DSS), should formally request Khalil to provide evidence for claims of such magnitude.
Adeniran highlighted that this is not an isolated incident, pointing to previous instances where Khalil made public statements that he later had to retract.
The commentator argued that such repeated false claims risk undermining public trust and the moral authority expected of religious figures, especially during sensitive periods like religious fasting.
Adeniran highlighted that the pattern of controversial claims is particularly troubling as both Muslims and Christians are observing periods of fasting and spiritual reflection, Ramadan for Muslims and Lent for Christians.
According to Adeniran, the controversy dates back to 2014 when Khalil allegedly used a sermon platform to accuse former security adviser Hamza Al-Mustapha of training snipers to assassinate selected northern leaders.
The claim, Adeniran noted, prompted legal action from Al-Mustapha, who described the allegation as unfounded and damaging.
Community elders reportedly intervened to calm tensions, and Khalil later appeared on BBC Hausa, acknowledging that the allegation against Al-Mustapha was false and expressing regret.
Despite this earlier retraction, Adeniran said Khalil has again made unverified claims, alleging that Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved ₦500 billion to bribe northern clerics. No public evidence has been presented to support this claim.
Adeniran argued that claims of such magnitude should be formally examined and suggested that relevant authorities, including the Department of State Services, could request Khalil to provide evidence.
He also questioned the role of some community elders who might attempt to intervene on the cleric’s behalf, potentially shielding him from accountability.
Adeniran added that while Khalil may project a pious image, his repeated false claims risk undermining both public trust and the broader moral authority that religious figures are expected to uphold.
The episode, according to another public analyst, Gbenga Adebamiwa, underscores the tense climate of political discourse in Nigeria, where statements by religious and political figures can quickly inflame public opinion.
Observers say that as both Muslims and Christians engage in fasting, a time traditionally associated with restraint, reflection, and moral discipline, the moment calls for greater responsibility in public speech and commentary.
