A statement by Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Jingir referring to Christians as “infidels” while urging support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections has drawn criticism from political, religious and civil society figures.
Among those who condemned the remark are Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rev. Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju.
Jingir made the comments at a political gathering organised by Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) 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, the cleric renewed his support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and praised President Bola Tinubu for adopting the arrangement during the 2023 presidential election.
While defending his right to campaign for candidates of his faith, Jingir called on Muslims to unite politically and, in the process, described Christians as “infidels.”
Reacting on X, Kwankwaso described the statement as troubling and divisive. He said leaders have a responsibility to promote unity and reconciliation rather than make comments capable of weakening national cohesion.
He also stated that the people of Kano do not support rhetoric that encourages division among Nigerians.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Rev. Hayab said the comment reflected concerns long expressed by many Christians in Northern Nigeria about discrimination and marginalisation.
He noted that the remarks were made in the presence of governors and other political leaders and questioned why no immediate public rebuke was issued at the event.
Hayab stressed that the controversy was not about the constitutional right of Muslims to support candidates of their choice, but about the use of derogatory language against fellow citizens during political mobilisation.
He also argued that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in 2023 received support from both Muslim and Christian voters across different states and therefore should not be presented as a purely religious project.
The Christian leader called on the governors who attended the event, the Federal Government and political figures associated with the campaign to publicly clarify their positions on the cleric’s comments.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju also condemned the statement, describing it as capable of fuelling religious tension.
He urged religious leaders to respect Nigeria’s religious diversity and use their influence to promote peace rather than deepen divisions between Christians and Muslims.
Adeyanju further argued that leadership should be assessed by its impact on issues such as insecurity, unemployment, inflation and national development rather than by religious identity.
The controversy has revived debate over the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) fielded Bola Tinubu, a Muslim from the South-West, and Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from the North-East, in the 2023 presidential election. The arrangement was criticised by many Christian groups and some political actors, who argued that it did not adequately reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity.
Supporters of the ticket, however, maintain that the Constitution does not require parties to present candidates from different religious backgrounds and that competence and electoral choice should take precedence over religious considerations.
