Fani-Kayode accuses prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Jingir, of secretly working for opposition
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has accused prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir of secretly working against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 election.
“Sheikh Jingir has done immense damage to President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” Fani-Kayode said. “I suspect that he is secretly working against them.”
The former Minister of Aviation, in a post on Facebook, described Jingir’s recent comments in which the cleric referred to non-Muslims as infidels as extremist and reckless.
“The extremist rhetoric that he is indulging in is not only unhelpful but is also unacceptable,” Fani-Kayode said.
Jingir had made the remarks on Saturday at a mass wedding celebration organised and sponsored by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples. Speaking in Hausa, the cleric affirmed his readiness to keep supporting the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027, as he did in 2023.
“I am one of those who raise the flag of Islam,” Jingir said. “I am calling on people to come and let us do Muslim-Muslim again.”
He also described Nigeria as a Muslim-majority country and criticised those who reject the claim.
“I know this statement pains the unbelievers,” he said. “I am a Muslim who preaches Islam. If I say Muslim-Muslim, what have I taken away from them?”
Jingir urged Muslims to vote in large numbers, saying the outcome would demonstrate their numerical strength in the country.
“So, here I am calling on you, please, everyone should get their voter’s card ready,” he said. “Let us show the world that those unbelievers who claim they outnumber us in Nigeria are lying.”
Referring to the APC’s 2023 presidential election victory, he added: “When the votes were counted, Allah helped us, and we defeated them.”
“My vote is for Islam,” he told the gathering, prompting the audience to respond, “It is for Muslims,” when he asked what Muslim votes were meant for.
Reacting, Fani-Kayode warned that Jingir’s comments could damage Tinubu and Shettima’s re-election bid by alienating Christian voters.
“Jingir is not only feeding into that false narrative with his reckless words, but he is also endangering the chances of our candidates in the 2027 presidential election, because for us to win, we need both Muslim and Christian votes,” he said.
“What he has done is give the opposition something to hold on to and use against us, and this is unfortunate,” Fani-Kayode said, adding: “I suspect that he is secretly working against them (Tinubu and Shettima).”
