Islamic scholar Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir has clarified his recent comments on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying his position was driven by what he described as the need to promote good governance and development.
Jingir spoke on Saturday at the Northern Muslims Intellectuals Forum in Jigawa State, where he addressed the controversy surrounding remarks he made during a recent visit to Kano.
He said his call for support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket had generated opposition, prompting him to conclude that more work was needed to explain his position to the public.
“When I went to Kano, I said Muslim-Muslim, but it turned out that some people did not like it. I said we still have work to do, so I will call the scholars to come and intensify our preaching,” Jingir said.
The cleric stressed that his position was not intended to promote insults, false accusations or broken promises, but to encourage what he described as constructive political and religious engagement.
“Let us not insult one another, let us not fabricate stories or break promises,” he said.
Jingir was also asked why he had continued to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, his support was based on the Muslim-Muslim ticket and what he described as developments recorded under the current administration.
“I was asked, ‘Alhaji Sani, what has been done to you that you are doing this?’ I said there is nothing else except Muslim-Muslim and the development that he has brought,” he said.
The Islamic scholar further compared the present situation with what he described as the treatment of Muslims during a previous administration in Plateau State.
He recalled that Muslims travelling between Jos and Bukuru, including worshippers at a mosque where he preached in Yan Taya, were allegedly subjected to searches and harassment.
“There was a time in a previous government when, here in Jos, from Jos to Bukuru, at the mosque where I used to preach in Yan Taya, people were searched, even checking whether they had a bomb on them,” Jingir said.
He argued that the situation had changed under the present administration, saying this was among the reasons for his favourable assessment of the Tinubu government.
“But look at the situation now. We may not say everything, but for me, this government has performed very well,” he said.
Jingir’s remarks at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano State Government earlier this month, which were perceived as disparaging non-Muslims, had sparked widespread condemnation.
Several people called on security agencies to arrest him, arguing that his comments could incite unrest.
Others, including Islamic scholars and prominent politicians, particularly opposition figures such as former Kano State Governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, also condemned the remarks.