Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has described comments by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahya Jingir, in support of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027 as ‘highly provocative’, warning that such statement could deepen religious divisions in the country.
Jingir had, in a video, called on Muslims to support the continued adoption of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The cleric made the remarks at an event attended by some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, including Kano Governor Abba Yusuf and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi.
“Special thanks to my (political) hero, Bola Tinubu who raised the flag of this political ideology, describing it as a purely Muslim-Muslim coalition,” Jingir said.
“I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he added.
Jingir acknowledged that the position had generated opposition among Christians and members of other religious groups but questioned whether advocating for a Muslim-Muslim ticket constituted wrongdoing.
“I am aware that some are embittered by this word. However, are there no Christians alike? Are there no Jews? Are there no traditionalists? Have I done anything wrong by merely campaigning for a Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he added.
“Have I stopped the Christians from their own slogans? Have I stopped traditionalists from a similar campaign?”
While reiterating his position, the cleric said, “But as a Muslim, I repeat it, Muslim-Muslim! No going back on this.”
Jingir also challenged arguments that Nigeria’s religious diversity should influence the choice of presidential candidates, asking whether those making such claims represented non-Muslims.
“Some would say ‘it’s a democracy and there are people who are not Muslims,’ are you their spokesperson?” he asked.
“But we pray and observe fasting, and it’s said that the majority carries the votes,” he added.
He subsequently urged Muslims at the gathering to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I urge all of us here to go and get our voters’ cards ready. Let’s show the infidels their limit, who claim they are more populous than us in Nigeria. They are lying!” he said.
Jingir also linked his position on the Muslim-Muslim ticket to the electoral outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
“If it wasn’t for my stance on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, somebody would have claimed they are more populous than us. But by the grace of Allah, we defeated them so ignominiously that they did not even make it to the second place in the polls, did they? They came third after all.
“Therefore my vote is for a Muslim-Muslim candidate! What about you, the Muslim umma?”
Meanwhile, reacting to the controversy, Fani-Kayode said he respected Jingir but disagreed with what he described as extremist rhetoric.
“I have immense respect for Sheik Jingir but I am constrained to point out that the extremist rhetoric he has indulged in here is most unhelpful and neither is it true,” Fani-Kayode wrote on X on Sunday.
“Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative. Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided.”
The former minister noted that Nigeria was neither a Muslim nor a Christian country, describing the nation as secular and religiously diverse.
“Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country. She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising of BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” he said.
He said his support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027 was not based on religious considerations but on the perceived qualities and electoral capacity of the candidates.
“We are supporting a Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027, as we did in 2023, only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims,” he said.
He added that Nigerians could support a Christian-Christian ticket in the future, while urging citizens to place greater emphasis on policies, competence and the personalities of candidates.
“We must not allow this issue to divide our ranks. We are NIGERIANS before being Christian or Muslim and we must not only stand as ONE but also go to the polls as ONE,” he said.
