Former Kano State Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate to Peter Obi in the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has faulted comments by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir advocating a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing them as divisive and detrimental to national unity.
Kwankwaso, in a statement issued in Kano, said he was “deeply concerned” by remarks made by the National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS, at an event in Kano over the weekend.
“At this critical moment in our nation’s history, statements that promote division and disunity must be firmly discouraged. It is particularly troubling to hear such rhetoric from a religious leader of Sheikh Jingir’s stature and influence,” he said.
The former Minister of Defence stressed that Kano people do not support narratives capable of polarising the country along religious lines. “Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” Kwankwaso stated.
He added that political and religious leaders have a responsibility to promote peace and reconciliation. “We must not lend our voices to utterances capable of undermining the very foundation of our nationhood,” he noted.
Kwankwaso also shifted focus to governance, saying Nigerians will use the 2027 polls to judge the current administration. “The 2027 general elections will be an opportunity for Nigerians to reward good governance with resounding support and to reject poor performance at the polls. This administration has earned the latter,” he said.
However, Sheikh Jingir has insisted he stands by his position. In a BBC Hausa interview monitored in Kano, the Izala leader said he has no regrets supporting the Tinubu-Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Speaking at a recent Hisba mass wedding ceremony in Kano, Sheikh Jingir said his support for Muslim-Muslim tickets predates the emergence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
“I stand on my position that Nigerians should vote massively for Muslim-Muslim tickets,” Jingir said. He argued that, as a citizen, he was entitled to his political preference just as Christians are free to support candidates of their choice.
The cleric said his position was shaped by what he described as historical marginalisation of Muslims, citing his experience in Plateau State. “In my state, where we were before its creation, Christians said we did not belong and that we should be expelled,” he said.
Jingir further alleged that past electoral processes produced disparities in the distribution of political offices, which he believes justifies Muslims seeking representation at the top.
Ahmad Sorondinki
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