NU ulema meeting OKs Gus Ipul to run in East Java's election

Surabaya, NU Online
Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Saifullah Yusuf, popularly known as Gus Ipul, has been nominated by the National Awakening Party’s (PKB) to run in the 2018 gubernatorial election.

The decision goes against expectation that the board’s chairman, Abdul Halim Iskandar, would be nominated for governor.

Halim had long declared his intention to run in the 2018 gubernatorial election and claimed that he was supported by 38 PKB branches across East Java.

“Because all ulemas and Muslim leaders from across East Java have come to an agreement, I’m calling on the executive board to follow through with nominating Saifullah Yusuf as its gubernatorial candidate. Pak Halim should accept wholeheartedly what the ulema have decided because the PKB is a party that is loyal and obedient to the words of ulema,” said Muhaimin during a meeting attended by 1,421 NU ulema and leaders at the Bhumi Sholawat Islamic boarding school in Lebo district, Sidoarjo, on Thursday.

Muhaimin, who is also the younger brother of Halim, said the decision to nominate Gus Ipul was based not only on the order of NU ulemas but also logical reasoning. Perceived to have vast experience in governance, Gus Ipul graduated from an NU Islamic boarding school.

East Java has never been led by an NU member, he said. “If the nomination is successful, Gus Ipul will become the first governor from the PKB," said Muhaimin. (JP/Masdar)