Jingir Says He Does Not Hate Christians, Calls on Tinubu to Govern with Fairness

Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir has attempted to lower the temperature of a controversy that erupted after his recent comments on Nigeria’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, saying he does not hate Christians and urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors and other political leaders to treat Nigerians fairness regardless of religion, ethnicity or party affiliation. The clarification comes after his earlier remarks at a Kano State Government-sponsored mass wedding for 1,500 couples triggered strong criticism from religious and civic groups.

From “Muslim-Muslim” Politics to a Call for Fairness

Jingir, chairman of the Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS, said at a national symposium in Jos that claims he dislikes Christians were based on a misinterpretation of his remarks. He argued that Islam teaches love, justice and fairness toward people of different faiths and recalled that the Prophet Muhammad lived peacefully with people of other religions.

But the political comedy surrounding the controversy is difficult to ignore. Earlier in August, Jingir openly defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket and said he had no regrets about supporting such an arrangement in 2027. Reports of his comments at the Kano wedding generated criticism because they were interpreted by several Nigerians as turning a political contest into a religious headcount.

Tinubu, Governors and the National Fairness Test

Jingir has now placed the responsibility squarely at the door of political leaders, asking Tinubu and governors not to discriminate against Muslims, non-Muslims or people belonging to opposing political parties. He also stressed that Nigerians should be free to vote for whichever candidate they believe is suitable. In other words, the ballot box should apparently remain a ballot box, rather than becoming a religious examination hall.

The timing is significant because Nigeria is already entering a politically sensitive period ahead of the 2027 elections. NIREC, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, had earlier condemned Jingir’s reported divisive remarks and warned about their implications for inter-religious harmony. Other commentators and civic groups have likewise raised concerns that inflammatory religious rhetoric could deepen existing tensions.

For OGM News NG, the bigger story is therefore not simply whether Jingir hates Christians or not, but whether Nigeria’s political class can translate repeated speeches about justice and fairness into actual governance. With the 2027 political season approaching, Nigerians should watch closely to see whether this latest call for fairness becomes a lasting principle or merely another headline that disappears when the campaign microphones become louder.