…Sheikh Jingir faces mounting backlash for calling Christians “infidels” while defending the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, and calling for its continuation in Nigeria.
By Abu Adamu
The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Monday night joined Northern Christian leaders and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in a free-wheeling backlash against prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, over remarks in which he described Nigerian Christians as “infidels,” declared Nigeria a Muslim country, and urged Muslims to ensure the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket beyond 2027.
Jingir, who spoke at a gathering of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Kano attended by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, urged Muslims to mobilise politically to demonstrate what he described as their numerical superiority.
In the widely circulated address, the cleric declared: “Let us show the world that the infidels are lying that they outnumber us. Show the infidels their limit. Nigeria is a Muslim country and if you don’t want to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you should leave Nigeria because it belongs to us.”
He further argued that the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket should continue “so that our dominance will remain sustained.”
The comments have since provoked widespread outrage across political, religious, and civil society circles, with critics warning that such rhetoric could inflame religious tensions and undermine national unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Joining the growing list of critics on Monday night, Kwankwaso said he was deeply concerned that such remarks came from a religious leader of Jingir’s standing.
“I am deeply concerned by the comments made by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir at an event in Kano this weekend,” the former Kano State governor said.
“At this critical moment in our nation’s history, statements that promote division and disunity must be firmly discouraged. It is particularly troubling to hear such rhetoric from a religious leader of Sheikh Jingir’s stature and influence.”
The NDC vice-presidential candidate stressed that Jingir’s comments did not reflect the views of Kano people.
“Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” he declared.
Kwankwaso urged political and religious leaders to promote truth, reconciliation, and national unity instead of statements capable of undermining Nigeria’s cohesion.
He also said the 2027 elections should be decided on the basis of governance and performance rather than religious sentiment.
“The 2027 general elections will be an opportunity for Nigerians to reward good governance with resounding support and to reject poor performance at the polls. This administration has earned the latter,” he stated.
Earlier, Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, condemned the cleric’s comments and renewed his call on the Federal Government to include religious affiliation in the next national population census to establish credible data on Nigeria’s religious demographics.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Hayab argued that the absence of official figures had encouraged unverifiable claims of religious superiority and dominance.
“That is why we have called for every census to have the religious question included. Let us really know who is in this country and what the percentages are so that people will stop insulting fellow Nigerians,” he said.
Hayab maintained that while every religious group had the right to support candidates of its choice, no one should deploy claims of numerical superiority to intimidate or demean fellow citizens.
He also reminded Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima received votes from both Christians and Muslims across the country, insisting that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was not elected solely by Muslim voters.
Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, also delivered a scathing response, describing Jingir’s comments as reckless, provocative, and dangerous to Nigeria’s unity.
He disclosed that he received over 100 calls and messages from both Christians and Muslims expressing concern over the cleric’s remarks, adding that he was particularly saddened by what appeared to be Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s applause during the event.
“We will not keep quiet and watch our faith being dragged all over the floor because of politics,” Fani-Kayode declared.
He warned that no political party could hope to win a presidential election while alienating millions of Christian voters.
“There is no Christian that will support a party that regards members of his or her faith as infidels,” he said.
Fani-Kayode insisted that Jingir neither represented the APC nor spoke for the majority of Nigerian Muslims, whom he described as peace-loving and tolerant.
He called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to invite and caution the cleric over statements capable of inciting religious discord and urged Jingir to apologise to Christians across Nigeria.
He further maintained that Nigeria is neither a Muslim nor a Christian country but a secular, multi-religious nation whose diversity should be protected rather than exploited for political advantage.
Discover more from Keeping Them Honest
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.