BREAKING: Gumi Defends Islamic Cleric Jingir Who Said Muslims Are More Than Christians in Nigeria

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended fellow Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahya Jingir, over his recent comments urging Muslims to support Muslim-Muslim political tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Jingir’s remarks, made at a political event organised in support of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, have attracted widespread criticism and condemnation.

Reacting to the controversy in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday, Gumi said Jingir should be excused for his “extreme view” on politics, arguing that the cleric operates in an environment where Islam faces what he described as excessive religious bigotry.

“Shiekh Jingir should be excused for his extreme view in politics. He dwells in the eye of the storm of excessive bigotry against Islam,” Gumi said.

The cleric also criticised what he described as the use of religion by opposition parties to mobilise voters, saying neither side of the political divide was completely free from exploiting religious sentiments.

“Just recently, a mere Muslim VC in Plateau State is stirring controversy. On the other hand, the opposition is not also free from using religion to garner votes,” he added.

Gumi, however, cautioned against allowing religion to become a major tool in Nigeria’s political contest, stressing the need to keep religious sentiments away from what he described as the “quagmire of dirty politics.”

“In a multi-religious entity, religion should not be dragged into the quagmire of dirty politics,” he stated.

Jingir’s comments have renewed debate over the place of religion in Nigeria’s 2027 political landscape, particularly amid growing discussions over possible alliances and presidential tickets ahead of the election.