Femi Fani-Kayode, the Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, has publicly disagreed with Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, an Islamic cleric who suggested that Nigeria belongs exclusively to Muslims. The controversy stems from a viral video in which Sheikh Jingir asserted that individuals opposed to the Muslim-Muslim political ticket should consider leaving the country.
This assertion has sparked significant criticism from various Christian groups. Responding via his official social media profile on Sunday, Fani-Kayode condemned the remarks as both factually incorrect and inflammatory. The former aviation minister emphasized that such rhetoric is dangerous and does not reflect reality.
Fani-Kayode argued that Nigeria is neither a strictly Muslim nor a Christian nation. Instead, he defined the country as a secular, multi-religious state where both faiths exist in roughly equal numbers, which he views as a national asset. He further clarified that the support for President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket is based on the candidates’ competence, character, and political viability rather than their religious affiliation. He also suggested that a Christian-Christian ticket could eventually become a political possibility in the future.
