Sheikh Yahaya Jingir’s call for Muslims to secure the continued success of a Muslim-Muslim ticket has drawn disapproval and condemnation from former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Jingir made the comments at an event in Kano over the weekend, telling Muslims to prepare their votes and prove that those he called “infidels” do not outnumber them.
He also said Nigeria is a Muslim country and told Christians who reject a Muslim-Muslim ticket to leave the country because, in his words, “it belongs to us”.
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Fani-Kayode responded on Monday in a Facebook post, saying the comments had caused concern among Christians and Muslims and could damage the chances of candidates seeking votes in the 2027 presidential election.
He said he received more than 100 calls and messages from Christians and Muslims over the weekend after Jingir’s comments became public.
Fani-Kayode also criticised the reaction of the Kano State governor, saying he was saddened to see his friend and brother “cheering him on and celebrating it”.
“We will not keep quiet and watch our faith being dragged all over the floor because of politics,” Fani-Kayode said.
He warned that religious language of this kind could create tension in a country where Christians and Muslims live together.
Fani-Kayode said the issue was particularly serious because Nigeria already faced accusations of Christian genocide and claims of an agenda to Islamise the country.
He said Jingir’s words could give political opponents material to use against President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 election.
Fani-Kayode rejects religious basis for ticket
Fani-Kayode said the Muslim-Muslim ticket should be judged by the people occupying the positions, not by their religion.
He said his support for the arrangement in 2027, as in 2023, was based on the “calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength” of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
He also said Nigeria could have a Christian-Christian ticket in the future.
Fani-Kayode rejected Jingir’s claim that Nigeria is a Muslim country, saying the country is a secular and multi-religious state made up of Christians and Muslims.
He also rejected the use of the word “infidels” for Christians, saying, “Christians are NOT infidels, we are Believers.”
He said nobody should be told to leave Nigeria because of religion.
“NOBODY is going anywhere because this is our country,” he wrote.
Fani-Kayode said religious leaders should keep faith separate from political competition and focus on issues, policies and the character of candidates.
He also said Jingir did not speak for the All Progressives Congress or the majority of Nigerian Muslims.
Fani-Kayode called on the Sheikh to apologise to the Church and Christians in Nigeria and urged him to use more restraint in his public comments.
He also asked that Jingir be invited by the Department of State Services and formally cautioned.
Kwankwaso criticises remarks
Kwankwaso also criticised Jingir’s comments in a Facebook post on Monday.
He said he was concerned that a religious leader with Jingir’s influence had made comments that could promote division and disunity.
Kwankwaso said the people of Kano did not support the remarks.
“It must be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” he wrote.
He said political and religious leaders had a responsibility to uphold truth, promote unity and support reconciliation.
Kwankwaso also connected the issue to the 2027 general election, saying Nigerians would have an opportunity to reward good governance or reject poor performance through their votes.
He said the Tinubu administration had earned rejection at the polls.
The Fani-Kayode and Kwankwaso therefore rejected the religious basis presented by Jingir for securing electoral support. Their responses have placed Jingir’s comments within the larger contest for votes ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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