Gus Ipul: All Cadres Have The Right To Candidate For Chairman Of Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama

JAKARTA - The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Chairman, Saifullah Yusuf, said all NU cadres have the same right to run for General Chair of PBNU at the 34th NU Congress in Lampung, 23-25 December.

"Every NU cadre who has the ability and supporters have the same rights to nominate the General Chair of PBNU. Please later the Muktamirin (congress participants) will choose", said Gus Ipul, Saifullah Yusuf's nickname, in a written statement quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 9.

At the NU Congress, the General Chairperson of PBNU will be directly elected by the Muktamirin, while Rais Aam will be elected through the Ahlul Halli Wal Aqdi mechanism, namely a closed election conducted by 9 senior NU Kiai.

"We want a cool congress. But usually, in NU, there is uproar (differing opinions), but in the end, there is confusion (joke). Currently, some want the general chairman to stay or the status quo and want regeneration", said former General Chairperson of GP Ansor Dua during this period.

Gus Ipul, who is also the nephew of KH Abdurahman Wahid (Gus Dur), admitted that he was among those who wanted regeneration at PBNU.

"I myself want regeneration and Gus Yahya is very worthy to continue leadership at PBNU", he said.

Until now, there are two strong candidates for the PBNU General Chair for the 2021-2026 period, namely KH Said Aqil Siroj who is the incumbent candidate, and KH Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya) who currently serves as PBNU's Head of Aam.

Kiai Said, who immediately ended his second term in charge of NU, officially declared his readiness to nominate again at the 34th NU Congress.

To reporters in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 8, Kiai Said revealed that he was running as a candidate for the PBNU General Chair again at the request of older Kiai and NU Regional and Branch Managers.

"Claiming is okay, but the calculation must be done carefully", said Gus Ipul in response to claims of support for Kiai Said Aqil.