Controversy Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket Sparks Debate in Nigeria

Prominent Islamic cleric Sani Jingir has stirred up discussions about the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket after his comments in Kano ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Mr Jingir spoke on Saturday at a mass wedding event organized by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples.

In Hausa, the cleric expressed his support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, just as he did in 2023.

“I am one of those who raise the flag of Islam,” Mr Jingir said.

“I am calling on people to come and let us do Muslim-Muslim again.”

He mentioned that Nigeria is a Muslim-majority country and criticized those who disagree with him.

“I know this statement pains the unbelievers,” he said.

“I am a Muslim who preaches Islam. If I say Muslim-Muslim, what have I taken away from them?”

He urged Muslims to vote in large numbers to show their strength in the country.

“So, here I am calling on you, please, everyone should get their votes ready,” he said, referring to the voter’s card.

“Let us show the world that those unbelievers who claim they outnumber us in Nigeria are lying.”

“When the votes were counted, Allah helped us, and we defeated them,” he said, referring to APC’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.

He reaffirmed his support for the same political arrangement in 2027.

“My vote is for Islam,” he told the gathering.

“What about the votes of Muslim people?” he asked, and the audience responded: “It is for Muslims.”

These comments have faced criticism from political figures who warned that using religion for political gain could deepen Nigeria’s divisions.

Former Kano State governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso condemned the remarks.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Mr Kwankwaso said that divisive words should not be used when the country needs unity.

“At this critical moment in our nation’s history, statements that promote division and disunity must be firmly discouraged,” he said.

Mr Kwankwaso expressed concern about Mr Jingir’s influence as a religious leader.

“Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” he added.

He called on political and religious leaders to be responsible in their public statements, stressing the need for truth, unity, and reconciliation.

“Political and religious leaders alike carry a solemn responsibility to uphold truth, foster unity, and advance reconciliation,” he said.

Mr Kwankwaso framed the 2027 election as a chance for Nigerians to judge political performance rather than vote based on identity.

He said voters could “reward good governance with resounding support and to reject poor performance.”

Former Minister of Aviation and Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, also criticized Mr Jingir’s remarks, calling them extremist and reckless.

“The extremist rhetoric that he is indulging in is not only unhelpful but is also unacceptable,” he said in a Facebook post.

Mr Fani-Kayode highlighted how Mr Jingir’s comments could hurt the chances of Messrs Tinubu and Shettima in 2027, saying it could drive Christian voters away.

“Jingir is not only feeding into that false narrative with his reckless words, but he is also endangering the chances of our candidates in the 2027 presidential election because for us to win, we need both Muslim and Christian votes,” he stated.

“What he has done is give the opposition something to hold on to and use against us, and this is unfortunate,” he added.

Mr Fani-Kayode accused Mr Jingir of secretly working against the president and the APC ticket in 2027.

“Sheikh Jingir has done immense damage to President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” Mr Fani-Kayode said, adding that “I suspect that he is secretly working against them.”

Mr Jingir is one of the most influential Islamic clerics associated with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, known as Izala.

He is linked to the Jos branch of the movement and is seen as a successor to its founder, Isma’ila Idris.

For decades, he has been a key religious figure in northern Nigeria, often commenting on political and public issues beyond religion.

Mr Jingir backed the APC presidential ticket, asking his followers to support Messrs Tinubu and Shettima.

He has continued to support Mr Tinubu’s second-term bid alongside Vice President Shettima, urging the government to fulfill its promises to Nigerians.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by Mr Tinubu and Mr Shettima in 2023 became one of the most debated topics in Nigeria’s politics.

Supporters defended it as a constitutional and political choice. Critics argued that having two Muslims at the top could worsen religious tensions in a country where politics often ties to ethnicity and religion.

Mr Jingir’s recent statement has brought the issue back into focus as parties and politicians prepare for the 2027 election.