Sheikh Jingir Defends Muslim-Muslim Ticket Advocacy, Says ‘I Have No Regrets’

Sheikh Jingir Defends Muslim-Muslim Ticket Advocacy, Says ‘I Have No Regrets’

Sheikh Muhammad Jingir has defended his support for Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets, saying his position predates Tinubu’s administration and that he has no regrets over his advocacy.

Sheikh Muhammad Jingir: ‘I Have No Regrets’ Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket Advocacy

Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, Sheikh Muhammad Jingir, has reaffirmed his support for Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets in Nigeria, insisting that his position is based on his religious convictions and did not begin with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The prominent Islamic cleric made the clarification in an interview with the BBC published on Wednesday, following renewed public debate over comments he recently made in Kano.

Jingir has come under criticism after urging Muslims to continue supporting Muslim-Muslim political arrangements and calling on them to vote in a manner that reflects their population.

However, the cleric has rejected suggestions that his comments were simply an endorsement of President Tinubu or Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

According to Jingir, his advocacy predates the 2023 presidential election and is rooted in his broader belief about Muslim political representation in Nigeria.

Jingir Says His Position Is Not About Tinubu

Speaking about his position, Jingir stressed that he was not campaigning for President Tinubu personally.

He explained that his argument was based on what he described as his commitment to Islam and his belief that Muslims should be able to support political candidates who share their interests and values.

“I am not promoting Tinubu, I am promoting Islam,” Jingir said, explaining that his position should not be interpreted as a personal campaign for the current administration.

The cleric also maintained that his position would apply regardless of which politician was in power.

He said he was prepared to support what he considered a good Muslim leader, irrespective of the individual's political party or administration.

This distinction is significant as Nigeria begins to move toward another major presidential election in 2027, when questions surrounding religion, political representation and national unity are expected to remain prominent issues.

Why Jingir Supports a Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Jingir said his support for a Muslim-Muslim arrangement was influenced by what he described as religious principles.

He referenced the Islamic principle that “a Muslim is a brother to a Muslim” as part of the basis for his position.

The cleric said he believed he had evidence and arguments supporting his stance and therefore saw no reason to stop discussing the issue simply because it generated criticism.

According to him, people who genuinely believe they are speaking the truth should not remain silent because of opposition or criticism.

Jingir said he would continue repeating his position despite what he described as “slander and noise” surrounding the issue.

His comments underline the continuing role of religious identity in Nigeria's political conversations, particularly when presidential candidates and their running mates come from the same religious background.

‘I Expected the Criticism’

Jingir acknowledged that his comments were likely to attract criticism but said he was not surprised by the reaction.

He argued that Christians in Nigeria also have the right to encourage their followers to support candidates they believe in.

In the same way, he maintained that he has the right to advise Muslims about how they should exercise their voting rights.

The cleric argued that expressing a political or religious opinion does not automatically mean that those who disagree are being attacked.

He said he had simply advised people according to what he believed was right.

Jingir added that everyone was entitled to an opinion and insisted that his comments were not intended to provoke Nigerians.

‘I Don’t Even Care’

The Islamic scholar was particularly dismissive of concerns about the criticism generated by his position.

“I don’t even care,” he said, making it clear that opposition to his views would not cause him to abandon his advocacy.

He said he had no regrets about his position and indicated that there was no particular starting date for his advocacy because, in his view, it was part of a broader call for the practice and advancement of Islam.

The comments have placed the Muslim-Muslim ticket debate back at the centre of political discussions as parties and political actors gradually position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Muslim-Muslim Ticket Became a Major 2023 Election Issue

The debate over Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets became one of the most contentious issues of the 2023 presidential election.

President Bola Tinubu, a Muslim from southern Nigeria, selected Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from northeastern Nigeria, as his running mate.

The decision meant Nigeria would have a president and vice-president who shared the same faith for the first time since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.

Supporters of the arrangement argued that political competence and constitutional eligibility should take precedence over religious balancing.

Critics, however, expressed concerns about religious inclusion and argued that Nigeria's religious diversity should be reflected in the country's highest political offices.

The controversy has remained part of the broader debate over Nigeria's political identity.

Jingir Was Among Tinubu’s Prominent Supporters

Jingir was among prominent Islamic scholars who supported Tinubu ahead of the 2023 presidential election after the former Lagos State governor selected Shettima as his running mate.

His latest comments therefore come against the background of his earlier public support for the ticket.

However, Jingir is now making a distinction between supporting Tinubu as an individual candidate and advocating for what he regards as an acceptable political arrangement for Muslims.

He said his position is not restricted to the current president.

This means that his argument could potentially extend beyond the Tinubu-Shettima administration and become part of the wider political conversation ahead of 2027.

Reactions From Political Figures

Jingir's comments have already generated reactions from political figures and commentators.

Among those who have responded are National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, and Nigeria's Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Their reactions reflect the politically sensitive nature of religious discussions in Nigeria.

With Christians and Muslims representing the country's two largest religious communities, statements calling for political support along religious lines frequently generate strong responses.

Nigeria's political history has repeatedly demonstrated that religion can influence voter mobilisation, political alliances and public debates.

What the Debate Means for 2027

The controversy surrounding Jingir's comments could become increasingly relevant as political parties and potential presidential candidates begin preparing for the 2027 election.

Although the election remains ahead, questions about zoning, regional representation, religion, political alliances and voter mobilisation are already attracting attention.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket could once again become a major issue if political parties choose presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the same faith.

Jingir's position suggests that some influential religious leaders may continue to advocate openly for such arrangements.

At the same time, critics are likely to argue that Nigeria's political leadership should reflect the country's religious and regional diversity.

The debate is therefore unlikely to disappear soon.

Religious Identity and Nigeria’s Democracy

Nigeria's Constitution provides for freedom of religion and allows citizens to participate in political activities regardless of their religious beliefs.

The challenge for political actors and religious leaders is balancing the right to express political opinions with the need to maintain social cohesion in a country with a complex religious and ethnic landscape.

Jingir insists that he has the right to express his position and advise members of his religious community.

Those who disagree with him equally retain the right to challenge his arguments and present alternative views.

The continuing debate demonstrates how closely religion and politics remain connected in Nigeria.

Jingir Stands Firm

Despite the criticism, Sheikh Muhammad Jingir has made it clear that he does not intend to withdraw his position.

He says his advocacy is not a recent development created by the Tinubu administration and that he has no regret about speaking publicly on the issue.

For Jingir, the argument is fundamentally about religious solidarity and the political representation of Muslims.

For his critics, however, the debate raises broader questions about national unity, political inclusion and the role of religion in elections.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 presidential election, these competing perspectives are likely to remain part of the country's political conversation.

For now, Jingir's message is unequivocal: he intends to continue expressing his position despite criticism.

(FAQ)

Who is Sheikh Muhammad Jingir?

Sheikh Muhammad Jingir is an Islamic scholar and Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah. He has been involved in public religious and political discussions in Nigeria.

What is Sheikh Jingir's position on the Muslim-Muslim ticket?

Jingir supports Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets. He says his position is based on his religious convictions and predates the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Is Jingir supporting Tinubu personally?

Jingir says his advocacy should not be interpreted simply as a campaign for Tinubu. He said he is promoting what he considers Islamic interests and would support a good Muslim leader regardless of who is in power.

Why is the Muslim-Muslim ticket controversial in Nigeria?

The issue is controversial because Nigeria has a large Christian and Muslim population, and critics argue that religious balancing can be important for national inclusion and unity. Supporters argue that voters should focus primarily on competence, policies and constitutional eligibility rather than religion.

Did Nigeria have a Muslim president and vice-president before Tinubu and Shettima?

According to the account surrounding the 2023 election, the Tinubu-Shettima ticket produced Nigeria's first president and vice-president of the same faith since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.

What election is the debate connected to?

The debate is increasingly connected to the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, although political parties and candidates will determine their eventual tickets through their respective processes.

Has Sheikh Jingir withdrawn his comments?

No. Jingir has defended his position and said he has no regrets about advocating for a Muslim-Muslim political arrangement.

What did Jingir say about criticism?

He acknowledged that his comments would attract criticism but said he was not concerned about the reaction and intended to continue expressing his views.

Takeaway

Sheikh Muhammad Jingir's renewed defence of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket has reignited a sensitive political debate in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.

While Jingir insists that his position is rooted in his religious convictions rather than personal loyalty to President Tinubu, his comments have drawn responses from political figures and are likely to remain part of wider discussions about religion, representation and political leadership.

The controversy highlights the competing views surrounding religious identity in Nigerian politics: while some see same-faith tickets as a legitimate political choice, others remain concerned about inclusiveness and national balance.

As the 2027 election approaches, the question of whether presidential tickets should reflect Nigeria's religious diversity—or whether voters should judge candidates primarily on their policies and competence—will likely continue to generate intense public debate.

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