Why Northern Muslim Leaders Must Unite Immediately -By Aliyu Sulaiman Babasidi

At a time when Nigeria is juggling insecurity, misinformation and dangerous international narratives, Northern Muslims should be the most united bloc in the country. Instead, ideological cracks are widening, and the consequences may be far bigger than anyone is willing to admit. 

While manifest reasons for the apprehension towards an impending crisis and anarchy may be because of US President Trump’s threat of kinetic intervention to “rescue” 100 million out of 200 plus million Nigerians from existential threat, there is another strong reason that has been needlessly allowed to linger. It may very well fuel a breakaway crisis if we continue pretending it is harmless. The ideological differences among Northern Muslims, who form part of the larger 100 million Muslims in the country, keep rearing their heads and threaten to cause conflict and disunity among the salafists (Izala) and the sufists (Tijjaniyya and Kadiriyya). Instead of calming down, the issue is getting more oxygen from ego clashes and a lack of willingness to de-escalate. 

In a time when misinformation, Islamophobia, and insecurity-related propaganda are at their highest levels across the northern region, it is the poor masses that face the real existential crisis. Forget whatever international commentators are saying. The average northerner is already carrying stereotypes on his head like firewood. If this continues, the negative profiling against him will only get worse. 

What complicates the matter is the role of religious leaders. They remain the biggest influencers and moral compasses for the masses in the north, and they are fully aware of this. It is not surprising that politicians constantly seek their endorsements during every election cycle. They have proven to be incredibly effective political instruments. But perhaps now more than ever, they need to drop their arms and end these mundane skirmishes that provide zero long-term value. If the goal is a stronger, more peaceful and more united Muslim ummah, then fighting over ideological emphasis is the most counterproductive approach possible. There is no gain. There is no reward. And if we are being very honest, political correctness should not even be one of their priorities at this time. These are desperate days. 

The Qur’an already gives a clear instruction on unity: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” Qur’an 3:103. Yet here we are, behaving like division is an act of worship. The warning is also explicit in Qur’an 6:159 where Allah says: “Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects. You, O Muhammad, are not associated with them in anything.” If this verse were a person, it would probably be standing at the roundabout in Kano shouting “enough”. 

If the global media space can boldly suggest that Nigerian Christians are being targeted simply because they are Christians, and if that narrative can be elevated to justify possible foreign intervention, then Northern Islamic leaders cannot afford distractions. Trump’s claim of mass Christian persecution in Nigeria is not just a casual comment. It is a geopolitical statement with implications that can reshape international policy. The irony, however, is painful. The same terrorists killing Christians are killing Muslims, and in even larger numbers. So how exactly are we supposed to digest a narrative that portrays Muslim casualties as footnotes. Should Muslims applaud their own deaths simply because the West prefers a cleaner story. 

This is why Northern Muslim leaders must align themselves properly. Their duty is not to compete in theological gymnastics. Their duty now is to unite and speak with one strong voice. They must act as a pressure group that demands decisive government action on insecurity. They must also calm the nerves of their millions of followers across the world by correcting narratives that render Muslim suffering invisible. If they fail to do it, nobody else will. 

Allah also says: “The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” This verse alone should settle half of the current arguments if ego was not involved. The ummah cannot be crying from both eyes and still be arguing over who has the better tear. 

I write this with no allegiance to any sect or Islamic school of thought. I am writing because Nigeria may be drifting into a religious crisis emergency. As someone trained to identify early warning indicators of conflict, what is brewing now is loud enough. We do not need external enemies. We are already manufacturing enough within. 

Unity is no longer an abstract sermon. It is a security strategy. If our leaders fail to understand this quickly, the people will carry the consequences as they always have.