Abuja: The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, has urged the Federal Government to address recent statements made by prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya-Jingir. Kwankwaso’s call comes after Yahaya-Jingir described Christians as ‘infidels’ during a recent event in Kano State, advocating for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kwankwaso expressed concern that Yahaya-Jingir’s comments do not reflect the views of the majority of northern Muslims. He described the remarks as inappropriate and potentially divisive, urging intervention from the federal government and Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the President, who is a Christian pastor. Kwankwaso emphasized that such rhetoric threatens national unity and is not in Nigeria’s best interest.
Kwankwaso urged Sheikh Yahaya-Jingir to reconsider his stance, emphasizing that Christians and other non-Muslims are entitled to equal rights as Nigerians. He criticized religious rhetoric targeting non-Muslims as a flawed political strategy due to Nigeria’s diverse electorate, which includes Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other faiths. Kwankwaso noted the influence of Yahaya-Jingir’s words due to his respected status, adding that he had previously maintained a cordial relationship with the cleric.
The vice-presidential candidate praised Christian leaders for their constructive engagement with President Bola Tinubu on pressing national issues like hunger and insecurity. Kwankwaso encouraged Muslim leaders to similarly engage the president and highlighted the need for religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and responsible leadership. Reflecting on past political campaigns in Kano, he warned against exploiting religious identity for political gain, sharing that the electorate is now more focused on practical issues like education and security.
Kwankwaso assured Christian leaders that Yahaya-Jingir’s views are not representative of the majority of northern Muslims, urging political and religious figures to avoid inflammatory statements. He called for unity and responsible leadership to address Nigeria’s challenges, urging Yahaya-Jingir to promote peaceful coexistence rather than division. Kwankwaso emphasized the shared ownership of Nigeria by all religious groups and the necessity for political leaders to protect national unity and the welfare of all citizens.
Kwankwaso concluded by urging Nigerians to reject attempts to exploit religious differences for political ends, stressing that unity and cooperation are essential for meaningful national development. He cautioned against associating northern Muslims with divisive statements and reiterated the need for leaders to address concerns about hardship and insecurity.