We are all infidels, Lere Olayinka downplays cleric’s religious label

Lere Olayinka, media aide to Nigeria's Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has offered a nuanced perspective on the term "infidel," suggesting it is a relative label dependent on the speaker's religious viewpoint. Olayinka argued that the word should not be inherently offensive, as it simply denotes someone with different religious beliefs.

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You are an INFIDEL. I am an INFIDEL. We are all INFIDELS. An INFIDEL is someone who does not have the same religious beliefs as the person speaking.

"An INFIDEL is someone who does not have the same religious beliefs as the person speaking," Olayinka posted on social media. He explained that from a Muslim perspective, Christians and traditional worshippers are infidels, while from a Christian viewpoint, Muslims and traditional worshippers are infidels. "Therefore, if you are called an INFIDEL, it is not an insult. Simply respond by calling the person an INFIDEL too," he advised.

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If a Muslim is the one speaking, Christians and Traditional religions worshippers are INFIDELs. If a Christian is the one speaking, Muslims and Traditional religions worshippers are INFIDELs. If a Traditional religions worshipper is the one speaking, Christians and Muslims are INFIDELs.

Olayinka's remarks came after he criticized cleric Shafiy Adeba, whom he accused of extremist views, including allegedly stating that Muslims have a "right" to enslave non-Muslims and declaring war against those deemed infidels. Olayinka questioned the preaching of such extremism in Yorubaland, a region known for its diverse religious coexistence, and suggested that preachers like Adeba should be imprisoned.

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Therefore, if you are called an INFIDEL, it is not an insult. Simply respond by calling the person an INFIDEL too. DAZZOL.

The context for these discussions includes recent controversial statements by Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahya Jingir. At a political event in Kano, Jingir reportedly urged Muslims to obtain voter cards and support Muslim-Muslim tickets to "show infidels their limit." He also allegedly linked "so-called Christians in disguise" to the Maitatsine movement, remarks that have drawn widespread condemnation from Christian leaders and others who view them as offensive and capable of deepening religious tensions.

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This Cleric, by name Shafiy Adeba said Muslims have ‘Right’ to enslave Non-Muslims. He declared war against those he called infidels ‘Rooted In Islam’. And he is preaching this nonsense in Yorubaland?