Sheikh Yahaya Jingir sparks controversy over Muslim-Muslim ticket remarks
Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir has sparked widespread controversy in Nigeria after advocating for the continued use of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets to ensure Muslim dominance in the country. Speaking at an event in Kano attended by several All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, Jingir praised President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 ticket and urged Muslims to secure their political interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jingir’s remarks, which included referring to Christians as 'infidels' and suggesting that those who reject a Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave Nigeria, have drawn sharp condemnation from political and religious leaders. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), described the comments as divisive and warned they could undermine national unity. Femi Fani-Kayode also criticized the rhetoric as 'highly provocative' and 'extremist,' emphasizing that Nigeria is a secular, multi-religious state.
Christian leaders, including Rev. Joseph John Hayab of the Northern Christian Association, stated that the cleric’s open comments have exposed long-standing feelings of marginalization and religious dominance experienced by Christians in Northern Nigeria. Critics argue that such sectarian rhetoric threatens social cohesion and could impact the political landscape leading into the 2027 elections.
Entities
Abba Yusuf · Bola Tinubu · Deji Adeyanju · Femi Fani-Kayode · Nigeria · Nigeria Democratic Congress · Rabiu Kwankwaso · Sheikh Yahaya Jingir · Sheikh Yahya Jingir · Umar Namadi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rev. Joseph John Hayab stated the remarks exposed long-standing Christian concerns regarding marginalization in Northern Nigeria. newtelegraphng.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Femi Fani-Kayode described the rhetoric as highly provocative and emphasized Nigeria's status as a secular state. chronicle.ng
- [● 4 SOURCES] Jingir referred to Christians as 'infidels' and urged Muslims to use their numerical strength to secure political interests. platinumpost.news · puoreports.ng · newtelegraphng.com · thecitizenng.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] NDC Vice-Presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso condemned the remarks as divisive and un-Islamic. gwg.ng · puoreports.ng · thevoicenewsmagazine.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Sheikh Yahaya Jingir argued that a Muslim-Muslim ticket is necessary to sustain Muslim dominance in Nigeria. www.gistlover.com · platinumpost.news · 247ureports.com · thecitizenng.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Jingir suggested that those who do not accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave the country. puoreports.ng · www.gistmania.com