Jingir’s ‘Leave Nigeria’ Remark Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket Sparks Reactions

Sheikh Yahaya Jingir’s reported assertion that Nigeria belongs to Muslims and that those opposed to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket should leave the country has sparked widespread reactions, with prominent Nigerians describing the remarks as divisive and dangerous to national unity.

In a video circulating on social media, the Islamic scholar reportedly told Muslims that those who could not accept the Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave Nigeria, while making arguments about the country’s religious demographics.

The comments have generated fresh controversy over the place of religion in Nigeria’s politics, particularly as political parties and their supporters begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the remarks, former Aviation Minister and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, rejected the suggestion that Nigeria is a Muslim country.

Fani-Kayode described the reported comments as “unhelpful,” “untrue” and provocative, stressing that Nigeria is neither a Muslim nor Christian country.

He argued that the country is a secular, multi-religious state comprising both Christians and Muslims, adding that its religious diversity should be regarded as a source of strength.

Fani-Kayode also defended his support for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election, insisting that his position was based on the competence, character, capacity and electoral strength of the candidates rather than their religion.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, also criticised the comments attributed to Jingir, warning against turning political leadership into a contest based on religious numerical strength.

Dalung argued that such an approach could encourage what he described as dangerous religious majoritarianism and further deepen Nigeria’s existing religious and political fault lines.

Jingir’s Previous Position

The latest controversy is not the first time Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir has publicly defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The prominent Islamic cleric previously declared his continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting that he had no regrets about supporting the same-faith ticket during the 2023 presidential election.

In earlier remarks, Jingir said he would continue to support a Muslim-Muslim ticket, even amid criticism of the Tinubu administration.

His position has remained significant within the political and religious debate surrounding the 2027 election, particularly amid speculation over whether President Tinubu will retain Vice President Shettima as his running mate.

Muslim-Muslim Ticket Debate

The controversy over a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket became one of the most prominent issues during the 2023 election after the All Progressives Congress (APC) presented Tinubu and Shettima, both Muslims, as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Supporters of the arrangement argued that political competence and electoral considerations should take precedence over religious identity. Critics, however, maintained that Nigeria’s religious diversity made a same-faith presidential ticket inappropriate and potentially divisive.

The debate has continued into the 2027 political cycle, with different religious, political and civil society voices expressing competing views on whether presidential tickets should reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity.

The latest comments attributed to Jingir have therefore reopened a broader national conversation about religion, political representation, national identity and the need for responsible public discourse in a deeply diverse country.

While the reported remarks have generated strong reactions, the debate over the 2027 presidential ticket is expected to intensify as political parties move closer to their nomination and electioneering processes.