Islamic cleric and leader of the Izala Scholars Council, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has said he has no regrets about his recent endorsement of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, despite the criticism his position has attracted.
Jingir made the remarks in an interview with BBC Hausa monitored by our correspondent on Wednesday. He said his position was not politically motivated or intended as an endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but was based on what he described as his responsibility as a Muslim.
The cleric said he would continue to support and encourage Muslims to back a Muslim-Muslim ticket, regardless of criticism.
“I will continue to support and encourage the Muslim-Muslim ticket. What they say would not stop me. They started it; at a point, we suffered in their hands,” he alleged.
Jingir had declared his support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket during a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples. He also urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their numerical strength in the country.
He said his decision to support the arrangement followed President Tinubu’s decision to “raise the flag” of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Jingir maintained that, as a Muslim preacher, he had the right to advocate a political arrangement that aligned with his religious convictions.
The cleric also disputed claims that Christians or other religious groups constitute a larger proportion of Nigeria’s population than Muslims.
His comments have continued to generate reactions, with some commentators describing the position as divisive, while others have defended his right to express his religious and political views.
A political analyst said Jingir’s position could strengthen support among Muslim voters who backed the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election as preparations for the 2027 election gather pace.
The analyst, however, warned that the position could also alienate some non-Muslim voters who previously supported President Tinubu.
