I Have No Regret Over ‘Muslims Are More Than Christians’ Statement — Jingir

Islamic cleric and leader of the Izala Scholars Council, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has said he has no regret over his recent remarks that Muslims are more numerous than Christians in Nigeria.

Jingir, who spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa monitored by our correspondent on Wednesday, maintained his support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket despite the criticisms that followed his comments.

The cleric said his position was not politically motivated and was not intended to campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but rather reflected what he described as his responsibility as a Muslim.

He said he would continue to encourage Muslims to support a Muslim-Muslim ticket regardless of opposition to his position.

“I will continue to support and encourage the Muslim-Muslim ticket. What they say would not stop me. They started it; at a point, we suffered in their hands,” he alleged.

Jingir had earlier declared his support for the Muslim-Muslim arrangement during a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples.

At the event, he urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their numerical strength in the country.

Explaining his position, Jingir said he decided to support the arrangement after President Tinubu “raised the flag” of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

He argued that, as a Muslim preacher, he had the right to advocate a political arrangement that aligned with his religious convictions.

The cleric also challenged claims that Christians or other religious groups outnumber Muslims in Nigeria, insisting on his position regarding the country’s religious demographics.

His comments have continued to attract reactions, with critics accusing him of making divisive statements, while supporters have defended his right to express his religious and political views.

A political analyst, however, said Jingir’s position could help consolidate support among Muslim voters who backed the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election, particularly as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections.