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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

I have no regrets, Islamic cleric defends Muslim-Muslim ticket stance

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Islamic cleric Sheikh Muhammad Jingir defends his advocacy for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, stating it predates President Tinubu's administration.
  • Jingir insists his stance is about promoting Islam and supporting Muslim leaders, not just Tinubu, and asserts his right to advise Muslims on voting.
  • He acknowledges expected criticism but remains unconcerned, viewing his position as a religious principle and a matter of truth he must repeat.

Sheikh Muhammad Jingir, Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, has firmly defended his advocacy for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, asserting he has no regrets and has held this position long before the current administration. His remarks come amid criticism following comments made at a Kano State Government event where he sponsored 1,500 couples.

I am not promoting Tinubu, I am promoting Islam… I am not promoting Tinubu’s Islam… so this is my profit.

— Sheikh Muhammad JingirClarifying his motivations behind advocating for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Jingir clarified that his support for a Muslim-Muslim arrangement is not solely tied to President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima. He stated his primary goal is "promoting Islam," not a specific politician, and that he believes Muslims should vote in ways that reflect their population. He drew a parallel, suggesting Christians also have the right to encourage their followers to vote for candidates they believe in, and he is exercising the same right for Muslims.

I have the freedom to say that Muslims should be elected, and to say that Islam should be practiced.

— Sheikh Muhammad JingirAsserting his right to express his views on religious representation in politics.

Despite anticipating criticism, the cleric remains unfazed. He views his advocacy as a matter of religious principle, rooted in the belief that "a Muslim is a brother to a Muslim." Jingir stated he has evidence to support his position and feels compelled to continue speaking about it, even if it attracts negative attention. "If a person knows he is telling the truth, then he should not be silent about any slander and noise, he should keep repeating it," he explained, emphasizing his lack of concern over reactions.

If a person knows he is telling the truth, then he should not be silent about any slander and noise, he should keep repeating it… that is why I keep repeating it.

— Sheikh Muhammad JingirExplaining his persistence in advocating for his position despite criticism.

His comments have drawn responses from various political figures, including Yunusa Tanko of the Obidient Movement and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode. Jingir was a notable supporter of Tinubu's presidential bid in the 2023 election, which saw Nigeria's first same-faith president and vice-president since 1999. This arrangement continues to be a subject of debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

I don’t even care.

— Sheikh Muhammad JingirExpressing his indifference to the criticism his stance attracts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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