Fani-Kayode Warns Muslim-Muslim Ticket Rhetoric Could Harm Tinubu's 2027 Bid

Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria's Ambassador-designate to South Africa, has cautioned that recent remarks by Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, advocating for the continuation of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets, could jeopardize President Bola Tinubu's re-election prospects in 2027.

Fani-Kayode expressed concern that Jingir's stance risks alienating Christian voters, exacerbating religious divisions, and providing opposition parties with a potent campaign issue against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He made these remarks in a Facebook post, responding to comments attributed to Jingir at a Kano event where the cleric reportedly endorsed Muslim-Muslim tickets.

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There is only one thing worse and that saddened me more than what he said and that is to have seen my friend and brother, the Governor of Kano State, cheering him on and celebrating it.

The former minister stated that Jingir's comments have caused widespread concern across religious lines, claiming he received numerous messages from both Christians and Muslims. He expressed particular dismay at the reaction of the Kano State governor, whom he accused of openly supporting Jingir's position. "There is only one thing worse and that saddened me more than what he said and that is to have seen my friend and brother, the Governor of Kano State, cheering him on and celebrating it," Fani-Kayode said.

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We will not keep quiet and watch our faith being dragged all over the floor because of politics. Matters of faith and salvation are far more important than anything we see or get in this world.

He warned political figures against weaponizing religious identity for political mobilization, arguing that such tactics could inflame existing tensions with consequences extending beyond the 2027 election. "We will not keep quiet and watch our faith being dragged all over the floor because of politics. Matters of faith and salvation are far more important than anything we see or get in this world," he stated.

Fani-Kayode deemed Jingir's comments particularly ill-advised given Nigeria's substantial Christian population and international scrutiny over alleged religious persecution. "You do not talk like that in a country with over 120 million Christians. This is especially so when we are already being falsely accused of Christian genocide and of harboring an agenda to Islamize the country and do away with all Christians by some of our American friends," he argued. He suggested that the cleric's remarks could inadvertently validate narratives the government has consistently rejected and weaken the APC's electoral chances, as victory requires both Muslim and Christian votes.

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You do not talk like that in a country with over 120 million Christians. This is especially so when we are already being falsely accused of Christian genocide and of harboring an agenda to Islamize the country and do away with all Christians by some of our American friends.