Rev. Joseph John Hayab, leader of the Northern Christian Association, claims that recent statements by Islamic scholar Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir highlight the systemic discrimination Northern Christians have faced for years. During a JIBWIS event in Kano attended by Governors Abba Yusuf and Umar Namadi, Jingir defended the Muslim-Muslim political ticket while labeling Christians as infidels. He encouraged Muslims to leverage their population size to achieve political goals.
In an interview on Channels Television, Hayab expressed alarm that political leaders present at the gathering did not challenge the rhetoric but instead applauded the cleric. According to Hayab, these comments validate long-held grievances regarding religious marginalization that have frequently been ignored or denied by authorities. He stated that the incident effectively ended the facade of national unity, noting that such exclusionary views have historically operated in the background.
Hayab clarified that his grievance is not with Muslims voting for co-religionists, but with the derogatory language used against fellow citizens based on their faith. He reminded the public that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima secured their 2023 victory with significant backing from Christian-majority regions, contradicting the narrative that political success in Nigeria relies solely on one religious demographic.
