The leader of the Izala Scholars Council, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has said he does not regret his recent endorsement of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, despite the criticisms that have followed his remarks.
Jingir made the statement during an interview with BBC Hausa monitored on Wednesday. He insisted that his position was not aimed at campaigning for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but was based on what he described as his duty as a Muslim cleric.
According to him, he will continue to support and encourage Muslims to back a Muslim-Muslim ticket, regardless of public reactions.
He said criticism would not deter him, alleging that “they started it” and that Muslims had at some point suffered at the hands of others.
The cleric had earlier spoken in support of the Muslim-Muslim arrangement during a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, where he urged Muslims to vote in a way that reflects their numerical strength in Nigeria.
Jingir explained that he chose to support the arrangement after President Tinubu adopted the Muslim-Muslim ticket and maintained that, as a preacher, he has the right to advocate political positions that align with his religious beliefs.
He also disputed claims that Christians or other religious groups outnumber Muslims in the country.
The comments have continued to attract mixed reactions. While some critics described the remarks as divisive, others defended his right to express both religious and political opinions.
A political analyst said the statement could reinforce support among Muslim voters who backed the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election ahead of 2027, but warned that it could also distance some non-Muslim voters who previously supported President Tinubu.
