Fani-Kayode Condemns Cleric's Call for 2027 Muslim-Muslim Ticket

A notable Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahya Jingir, has stirred up significant debate after publicly endorsing the continued use of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets for the upcoming 2027 general elections. The cleric's pronouncements, which were captured in a video that went viral on Sunday, were reportedly made at an event attended by prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, including Kano State's Abba Yusuf and Jigawa State's Umar Namadi.

Sheikh Jingir lauded President Bola Tinubu for his pioneering role in the Muslim-Muslim ticket strategy during the 2023 presidential contest, affirming his steadfast commitment to this political arrangement. He was quoted saying, “Special thanks to my (political) hero, Bola Tinubu who raised the flag of this political ideology, describing it as a purely Muslim-Muslim coalition.” He further declared, “I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for Muslim-Muslim ticket.”

Acknowledging that his stance might upset Christians and other faith groups, Jingir challenged the notion that his advocacy was inherently wrong. He questioned, “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 continued, “Have I stopped the Christians from their own slogans? Have I stopped traditionalists from a similar campaign?” The cleric firmly reiterated his position, stating, “But as a Muslim, I repeat it, Muslim-Muslim! No going back on this.”

Addressing arguments that Nigeria's democratic and multi-religious nature should preclude such tickets, Jingir asked if those making such claims were spokespersons for non-Muslims. “Some would say ‘it’s a democracy and there are people who are not Muslims,’ are you their spokesperson?” he queried, adding, “But we pray and observe fasting, and it’s said that the majority carries the votes.” He also encouraged attendees to acquire their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in preparation for the elections. “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 exclaimed. He credited the previous electoral defeat of opponents of the Muslim-Muslim ticket to his advocacy, stating, “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 concluded by pledging his support for Muslim-Muslim candidates and urging fellow Muslims to follow suit, asking, “Therefore my vote is for a Muslim-Muslim candidate! What about you, the Muslim umma?”

These comments have attracted considerable attention, with many critics on social media condemning them as divisive and unsuitable for Nigeria's diverse religious landscape. Reacting to the controversy, Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, described Jingir’s statements as “highly provocative” and cautioned against what he termed extremist rhetoric.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Fani-Kayode stated, “I have immense respect for Sheik Jingir but I am constrained to point out that the extremist rhetoric he has indulged in here is most unhelpful and neither is it true.” He added, “Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative. Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided.”

Fani-Kayode stressed that Nigeria is neither exclusively a Muslim nor a Christian nation, but rather a secular and multi-religious state. He asserted, “Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country. She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising of BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength.”

He clarified that his support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, as in 2023, would be based on the candidates' competence and character, not their religious affiliation. “We are supporting a Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027, as we did in 2023, only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims,” he explained. He further noted that a Christian-Christian ticket could be feasible in the future and called on Nigerians to prioritize issues, policies, and individuals over religious considerations. “We must not allow this issue to divide our ranks. We are NIGERIANS before being Christian or Muslim and we must not only stand as ONE but also go to the polls as ONE,” he concluded.

Conversely, some social media users defended the practicality of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. One X user, #Abdulrasheed_SB, emphasized that every Nigerian, regardless of their faith, possesses the right to aspire to the presidency.