Nigeria's Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has publicly rebuked a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, after a video surfaced online showing the cleric asserting that Muslims outnumber Christians in Nigeria. The video, which circulated widely on social media on Sunday, August 9, has ignited a fresh debate over the country's religious demographics and political future.
Sheikh's Controversial Remarks
In the viral video, Sheikh Jingir, who is based in Plateau State, was heard speaking in Hausa at a religious gathering. He reportedly declared that Nigeria is fundamentally a Muslim nation and urged people to embrace the Muslim-Muslim ticket, a political arrangement where both presidential and vice-presidential candidates are Muslims. This statement quickly drew backlash from various quarters, including Fani-Kayode, who responded via his X handle (formerly Twitter) later that evening.
Fani-Kayode's Firm Rebuttal
Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, did not mince words in his response. He categorically stated that Nigeria is neither a Muslim nor a Christian state but a secular one. He described the cleric's comments as 'highly provocative' and warned that such rhetoric could dangerously divide the nation. According to Fani-Kayode, the country's strength lies in its multi-religious nature, with Christians and Muslims existing in roughly equal numbers.
His full statement read: “I have immense respect for Sheik Jingir but I am constrained to point out that the extremist rhetoric he has indulged in here is most unhelpful and neither is it true. Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative. Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided. Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country. She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising of BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength.”
Defending the Muslim-Muslim Ticket
Fani-Kayode also addressed the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket, which was a key feature of the 2023 presidential election when Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima ran as joint candidates. He clarified that his support for the ticket was not based on religious grounds but on the 'calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength' of the candidates. He further noted that a Christian-Christian ticket could emerge in the future, saying, 'One day we may have a Christian/Christian ticket too because with God all things are possible.'
Religious Tolerance and National Unity
The Ambassador-designate emphasized the need to keep religion out of politics, urging Nigerians to focus on 'issues, policies and personalities instead.' He pointed out that the Christian community has fared well under the current government, even better than during the 2015-2023 administration when a Muslim-Christian ticket was in place. He warned against allowing religious divisions to weaken the nation's ranks, stressing that Nigerians must come together as one people.
“We overcame religious intolerance in 2023 and won the presidential election and by God's grace we will do the same again in 2027,” Fani-Kayode concluded, reinforcing his call for unity ahead of the next general elections.
Broader Implications
This public spat highlights the ongoing sensitivity around religion in Nigerian politics. With a population almost evenly split between Christians and Muslims, any rhetoric that suggests one group dominates the other can inflame tensions. Fani-Kayode's response serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required to maintain peace in Africa's most populous nation, where religious identity often intersects with political loyalty.
As the 2027 elections approach, such debates are likely to intensify, making it crucial for leaders to promote inclusive narratives that transcend religious lines.
