Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, has urged the federal government to intervene after Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya-Jingir made disparaging comments about Christians. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, the former Kano State governor claimed the cleric was motivated by personal profit rather than genuine conviction.
Yahaya-Jingir recently labeled Christians as “infidels” while promoting a Muslim-only presidential ticket for the 2027 cycle. Kwankwaso argued that these statements are inflammatory and do not reflect the views of the broader northern Muslim community. He specifically called on President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu—a practicing pastor—to address the issue, warning that such rhetoric threatens national stability.
Kwankwaso highlighted that the electorate is diverse and that using religion as a political wedge is an ineffective strategy. He noted his past respect for the cleric but expressed confusion regarding his recent shift toward divisive language. He urged leaders to focus on tangible governance issues like poverty, insecurity, and education, noting that voters in Kano have moved past religious sloganeering.
The former governor encouraged Christian leaders to remain calm, reiterating that the cleric’s views are fringe. He called for a shift toward inclusive, responsible leadership that prioritizes the welfare of all citizens regardless of their religious background. Kwankwaso concluded that Nigeria requires unity to overcome its current socioeconomic challenges, and urged all public figures to foster harmony rather than division.
