Tanko rejects calls for Muslim-Muslim ticket, backs Obi-Kwankwaso

Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, has publicly rejected calls for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and distanced himself from comments made by Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Sani Jingir. Jingir had reportedly advocated for such a ticket and made remarks critical of Christians.

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I, Dr Yunusa Tanko, a Muslim from Kano State, hereby dissociate myself from the statements attributed to Mallam Yahaya Sani Jingir condemning Christians in Nigeria or describing them as infidels, as well as his advocacy for a Muslim-Muslim ticket on the basis of religious identity.

In a statement on Tuesday, Tanko emphasized that his stance is rooted in the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and equal citizenship for all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. "Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity," Tanko asserted. He added that as Muslims, they believe in justice, competence, character, and accountability guiding political decisions.

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Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity. As Muslims, we believe in justice, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, competence, character, accountability, and equal citizenship.

Tanko also declared his endorsement of the proposed Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket. He views this pairing as a representation of his vision for a more unified and progressive Nigeria. "I therefore affirm my support for the Peter Obi-Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ticket as a platform for a better Nigeria founded on competence, character, accountability, unity, and a better future for all Nigerians," he stated.

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I therefore affirm my support for the Peter Obi-Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ticket as a platform for a better Nigeria founded on competence, character, accountability, unity, and a better future for all Nigerians.

Jingir, identified as the National Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, had previously expressed strong support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, calling it his "political hero" and urging Muslims to back similar arrangements for future elections. His remarks have ignited a debate in Nigeria about the role of religion in politics and the potential for such rhetoric to exacerbate religious divisions.

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I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for Muslim-Muslim ticket.