Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Jingir description of Christians as “infidels” while advocating a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections has drawn condemnation from former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Northern Christian Association chairman Rev. Joseph Hayab and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju.
Jingir made the remarks at a political gathering organised by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah in Kano. The event was attended by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi and other political figures.
In a video circulating on social media, Jingir praised President Bola Tinubu for adopting a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election and urged Muslims to support the arrangement in 2027.
“I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for a Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he said.
He later urged Muslims to obtain their voter cards and use their numerical strength politically, referring to Christians as “infidels” and challenging claims about the relative size of the two faith groups.
Kwankwaso condemned the remarks in a statement on X, saying the people of Kano did not support the cleric’s comments. He said political and religious leaders had a responsibility to promote unity and avoid statements that could undermine national cohesion.
Hayab said the remarks highlighted what he described as longstanding religious discrimination against Christians in northern Nigeria. He also questioned why political leaders present at the gathering did not immediately rebuke the cleric.
However, Hayab stressed that the controversy was not about Muslims supporting candidates of their faith but about using derogatory language against fellow Nigerians. He argued that the APC’s 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket received votes from both Muslim- and Christian-majority states.
Adeyanju described Jingir’s rhetoric as divisive and warned that it could deepen religious tensions. He urged religious leaders and politicians to respect Nigeria’s religious diversity and judge political leadership by its impact on issues such as insecurity, unemployment and inflation.
The controversy has renewed debate over the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress in 2023. Supporters argue that the Constitution does not require presidential and vice-presidential candidates to belong to different faiths, while critics say same-faith tickets can undermine perceptions of religious inclusion in Nigeria’s diverse society.
