Alleged Qur’anic Recitation Committee Crisis: NANS Fires Back At Petitioners Demanding Sheikh Jamilu Albani’s Sack, Says The Petition Is “Baseless And Politically Motivated”
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kaduna Axis, has responded strongly to the recent petition calling for the removal of Sheikh Jamilu Abubakar Albani, Coordinator of the Kaduna State Qur’anic Recitation Committee (KSCQRC), describing the allegations as baseless, politically motivated, and lacking credibility.
In a statement signed by its Vice Chairman for Inter-Campus Affairs, Habiba Ibrahim, rejected the allegations, stating that they lack both legitimacy and credibility.
NANS stated that the group has no formal structure or recognition within Kaduna State’s Qur’anic education sector and therefore lacks the authority to speak on such matters.
The student body emphasized that NANS represents students at all levels, including those in Islamic institutions, and has a responsibility to protect their interests, noting that none of the allegations against Sheikh Jamilu have been substantiated by any official investigation, audit, or judicial process.
Sheikh Jamilu should not be declared guilty based on what they called “anonymous petitions, hearsay, or politically motivated claims.”
The association called on those with verifiable evidence to submit it to appropriate authorities, rather than spreading what it described as “media propaganda aimed at misleading the public.”
NANS also reiterated its commitment to defending transparency, truth, and students’ welfare while commending Governor Uba Sani for his ongoing support for Qur’anic education, including the renovation of Ahmad Chanchangi Hall, provision of solar-powered boreholes, and cash prizes for competition participants.
The statement reads, "The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kaduna State Axis, has noted with disappointment the recent counter-statement issued by a faceless group styling itself as “Concerned Stakeholders of Qur’anic Recitation and Public Accountability.”
"This so-called response is nothing more than a politically-driven, poorly disguised attempt to suppress the voice of reason and divert public attention from the facts surrounding the Kaduna State Qur’anic Recitation Committee (KSCQRC) and its coordinator, Sheikh Jamilu Abubakar Albani.
"We wish to clarify and firmly state as follows:
"The individuals behind the counter-statement have no recognized structure or identity within Kaduna State’s Islamic or Qur’anic education framework. They are neither members of the Kaduna State Qur’anic Committee nor affiliated with any recognized oversight body. Their opinions, therefore, carry no institutional weight and cannot be considered credible.
"For the avoidance of doubt, NANS remains the apex students’ body in Nigeria, representing students at all levels — including those in Islamic schools and institutions. Qur’anic recitation competitions involve young students across Kaduna State, many of whom are affiliated with NANS as learners. It is not just our right but our obligation to defend such students whenever misinformation, politics, or falsehood threatens their opportunities, welfare, or representation.
"The so-called response fails to address any factual issues raised in our earlier press release. Instead, it relies on personal attacks, baseless assumptions, and deliberate misrepresentations of NANS’ role. It is laughable that a group with no public standing or operational record would attempt to lecture Nigeria’s foremost student body on the limits of its mandate.
"We reiterate that all allegations against Sheikh Jamilu Albani — including those concerning finances, the Sienna bus, and his leadership style — remain unsubstantiated. No official panel, government audit, or judicial body has found him guilty of any wrongdoing. NANS Kaduna stands by its position: no one should be pronounced guilty based on anonymous petitions, hearsay, or politically-motivated claims.
"NANS Kaduna will continue to defend transparency, truth, and the rights of students — including those in Islamic institutions. We will not be intimidated by faceless groups acting under political influence or personal vendettas. If these so-called stakeholders have evidence, they should present it to the appropriate authorities for due process rather than resorting to media propaganda aimed at misleading the public.
"We therefore call on the public to disregard the baseless rantings of those with no mandate, no structure, and no legitimacy. Truth is not established by noise, but by facts and the rule of law."
INITIAL REPORT:
Scandal Rocks Kaduna Qur’anic Recitation Committee As Stakeholders Petition Gov. Uba Sani To Sack Sheikh Jamilu Abubakar Albani, Over Alleged Misconduct, Financial Mismanagement, Abuse Of Office
A wave of controversy has hit the Kaduna State Qur’anic Recitation Competition Committee as members of the Kaduna State Association of Qur’anic Reciters have officially petitioned Governor Uba Sani, calling for the immediate removal of Sheikh Jamilu Abubakar (Albani), the State Coordinator of the Standing Committee on Qur’anic Recitation Competition (KSCQRC), over allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, financial mismanagement, and dereliction of duty.
The petition, dated July 15 and signed by Goni Suleiman Saleh, outlines what stakeholders call a “persistent pattern of high-handedness, lack of accountability, and disregard for the integrity of the committee” by Sheikh Jamilu since his appointment in 2015.
Explosive Allegations: Misuse of Funds, Intimidation, and Abuse of Power
According to the petition, Sheikh Jamilu has failed to provide financial records for Qur’anic competitions spanning nearly a decade. It alleges he diverted funds meant for participants and judges, including monies donated by then-Senator and now-Governor Uba Sani. One particularly damning incident involves the 2022 competition, where the governor publicly announced cash gifts for participants and judges—but reportedly, none of the intended recipients received the funds.
“He ignored clear directives and diverted the funds for undisclosed purposes,” the petition states. “Parents expressed outrage when their children came home empty-handed despite the Governor’s generosity being publicly documented.”
Governor’s Donations Allegedly Hijacked
The petition also claims Sheikh Jamilu converted public property to private use, including a Sienna bus donated in 2018 by Uba Sani, which was allegedly taken to his residence and stripped of its committee identification. Despite owning several vehicles, the committee reportedly lacks access to this particular bus, raising further questions about accountability.
Intimidation, Disrespect, and Resignations Within Committee
Sheikh Jamilu is also accused of intimidating officials, disrespecting senior scholars and judges, and monopolizing decision-making, thereby crippling the committee’s ability to function democratically. Notably, two senior judges have reportedly resigned in frustration, while numerous veteran participants have withdrawn from competitions due to neglect, public insults, and lack of incentives.
“There is fear, intimidation, and frustration in the committee. He dismisses any complaints outright,” the petition notes.
Conflict of Interest: Dual Political Roles Raise Red Flags
In what the stakeholders describe as a serious conflict of interest, Sheikh Jamilu allegedly refuses to step down from his coordinator role despite holding two powerful political positions—Chairman of Sabon Gari Local Government and ALGON Chairman in Kaduna. His political commitments, they claim, have made him “largely absent” while still controlling committee funds and decisions.
Wider Impact: Tarnishing Government Image, Decline in Performance
The group warns that the alleged misconduct is undermining the credibility of the Kaduna State Government and tarnishing the image of Governor Uba Sani's Islamic-oriented administration. They cite dwindling interest among stakeholders, declining performance at national Qur’anic competitions, and public distrust as direct consequences.
In a scathing remark, they accused the embattled coordinator of “sabotaging Kaduna State Government” by creating a false impression that the government does not support Qur’anic or religious activities.
The Petitioners’ Demands:
The Association is calling on Governor Uba Sani to:
1. Immediately remove Sheikh Jamilu Abubakar (Albani) from office.
2. Constitute a panel of inquiry to investigate all financial and administrative activities since 2015.
3. Recover all official properties, including the seized Sienna bus.
4. Reform the Committee’s structure to ensure transparency, audits, and inclusive governance.
Governor Uba Sani’s Track Record Praised
Despite the damning allegations, the petition commended Governor Uba Sani for his consistent support of Qur’anic education and religious development in Kaduna. They highlighted his renovation of the Ahmad Chanchangi Hall, provision of solar-powered boreholes, and cash prizes awarded to participants, emphasizing that such efforts are being "undermined by one individual’s selfish agenda."
Comments
Post a Comment