2027: Fani-Kayode reacts as Islamic scholar says those against Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave Nigeria

Former Minister of Aviation and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has strongly condemned controversial remarks made by Islamic scholar Sheikh Yahaya Jingir regarding the country’s religious demography and presidential ticket compositions.

In a video at a northern political event, Jingir asserted that Muslims comprise the definitive majority population in Nigeria.

He went further to advocate for a permanent Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, stating that anyone who rejects this arrangement “should leave Nigeria” because the country belongs to Muslims.

The cleric praised President Bola Tinubu for promoting the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election and said he remained a strong advocate of the arrangement.

“Special thanks to my (political) hero, Bola Tinubu who raised the flag of this political ideology, describing it as a purely Muslim-Muslim coalition,” Jingir said.

“I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he further noted at an event attended by some All Progressives Congress governors, including Abba Yusuf of Kano State and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State.

Jingir acknowledged opposition to the arrangement from Christians and other religious groups but questioned whether his advocacy amounted to wrongdoing.

“I am aware that some are embittered by this word. However, are there no Christians alike? Are there no Jews? Are there no traditionalists?

“Have I done anything wrong by merely campaigning for a Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he said.

“Have I stopped the Christians from their own slogans? Have I stopped traditionalists from a similar campaign?”

The cleric reiterated his position, saying, “But as a Muslim, I repeat it, Muslim-Muslim! No going back on this.”

Responding to arguments that Nigeria is a democracy with citizens from different religious backgrounds, Jingir questioned whether those making such arguments represented non-Muslims.

“Some would say ‘it’s a democracy and there are people who are not Muslims,’ are you their spokesperson?” he asked.

“But we pray and observe fasting, and it’s said that the majority carries the votes,” he added.

Jingir also urged those at the event to prepare for the elections by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards.

“I urge all of us here to go and get our voters’ cards ready. Let’s show the infidels their limit, who claim they are more populous than us in Nigeria. They are lying!” he said.

He attributed the previous electoral defeat of opponents of the Muslim-Muslim ticket to his position on the issue.

“If it wasn’t for my stance on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, somebody would have claimed they are more populous than us.

“But by the grace of Allah, we defeated them so ignominiously that they did not even make it to the second place in the polls, did they? They came third after all.”

Jingir subsequently declared his support for Muslim-Muslim candidates and called on Muslims to follow suit.

“Therefore my vote is for a Muslim-Muslim candidate! What about you, the Muslim umma?”

In his reaction, Fani-Kayode fiercely rejected these assertions, branding the cleric’s rhetoric as highly provocative,” misleading, and a “dangerous slope” capable of heating up the national polity.

Fani-Kayode, in a statement reacting to the cleric’s remarks on Facebook, said he had received calls and messages from Christians and Muslims expressing concern over the comments.

He also criticised the reported reaction of the Kano State Governor, saying he was saddened to see the governor allegedly cheering and celebrating the cleric’s remarks.

According to Fani-Kayode, matters of faith should not be sacrificed for political interests, warning that divisive rhetoric could have consequences for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He said: “We will not keep quiet and watch our faith being dragged all over the floor because of politics. Matters of faith and salvation are far more important than anything we see or get in this world.”

Fani-Kayode argued that Nigeria’s religious diversity required restraint and mutual respect, stressing that political parties seeking national support must avoid rhetoric that could alienate sections of the electorate.

He said the remarks attributed to Jingir could provide ammunition for the opposition and undermine the chances of candidates seeking support from both Christian and Muslim voters in 2027.

Fani-Kayode further stated that Jingir did not represent the official position of the APC or the views of the majority of Nigerian Muslims, adding that the cleric should be cautioned against making statements capable of inflaming religious sentiments.

He also rejected the description of Nigeria as a Muslim country, saying the country is a secular and multi-religious state comprising Christians and Muslims.