Islamic Cleric Stands Firm on Muslim-Muslim Ticket Amidst Criticism

Sheikh Muhammad Jingir, the Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, has reaffirmed his support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. In a recent interview with the BBC, Jingir stated that he has no regrets over his advocacy for this stance, which he has held long before the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. Jingir had earlier sparked controversy when he called for the continued adoption of a Muslim-Muslim arrangement during a special wedding reception organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples. He urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their population strength. The cleric clarified that his support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket was not limited to President Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, but rather a broader stance based on the religious principle that 'a Muslim is a brother to a Muslim'. Jingir argued that he was not promoting any particular individual, but rather promoting the interests of Islam. 'I am not promoting Tinubu, I am promoting Islam… I am not promoting Tinubu’s Islam… so this is my profit,' he said. The cleric believes that Nigerian Christians should also be free to vote for candidates they believe in, just as he has the right to advise Muslims on how to exercise their voting rights. Jingir's comments have generated reactions from various quarters, including the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, and Nigeria's Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode. Despite the criticism, Jingir remains resolute in his stance, stating that he has evidence to support his position and will continue to speak out on the matter. 'If a person knows he is telling the truth, then he should not be silent about any slander and noise, he should keep repeating it… that is why I keep repeating it,' he said. Jingir's support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket has been a subject of debate, particularly ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The 2023 election, which produced Nigeria's first president and vice-president of the same faith since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, has set a precedent that continues to generate discussion.