A former governorship candidate in Imo State, Uche Nwosu, has condemned a controversial remark attributed to Plateau-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Jingir, over his support for the continued adoption of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nwosu, in a statement issued in Abuja, described the cleric’s reported reference to some Nigerians as “infidels” as divisive and capable of heightening religious tension in the country.
Jingir had reportedly made the remark while speaking at an event attended by some All Progressives Congress governors, including Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, and his Jigawa State counterpart, Umar Namadi.
The cleric also renewed his support for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the APC in the 2023 election and urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting, Nwosu said religious leaders should use their influence to promote tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence rather than make statements capable of deepening divisions.
He said such utterances could undermine national unity and create unnecessary tension between Christians and Muslims.
Nwosu stressed that Nigeria’s diversity should be viewed as a strength, noting that citizens from different ethnic and religious backgrounds have continued to live and work together across the country.
The former governorship candidate urged the Federal Government and relevant authorities to pay attention to public statements capable of threatening national cohesion, adding that appropriate action should be taken where such remarks violate existing laws.
He also appealed to Christians and Muslims not to allow provocative statements by individuals to damage the longstanding relationship between the two faith communities.
Nwosu’s reaction follows a similar condemnation by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who also described Jingir’s reported remarks as divisive and capable of fuelling religious tension.
The controversy comes amid renewed debate over the religious composition of presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC adopted a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim from the South-West, and Vice President Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from the North-East, as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
While the arrangement attracted criticism from some Christian groups and political actors, its supporters have argued that competence and voters’ choice should take precedence over religious considerations.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the debate over religious balancing in presidential politics is expected to remain a major issue in Nigeria’s political discourse.
