Uche Nwosu Condemns Jingir’s ‘Infidels’ Remark, Warns Against Religious Tension Ahead of 2027

Uche Nwosu Condemns Jingir’s ‘Infidels’ Remark, Warns Against Religious Tension Ahead of 2027

2027: Uche Nwosu Blasts Jingir’s ‘Infidels’ Remark, Warns Against Religious Tension

Uche Nwosu condemns Sheikh Sani Jingir’s ‘infidels’ remark and renewed Muslim-Muslim ticket advocacy, warning against religious tension ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election.

A former governorship candidate in Imo State, Uche Nwosu, has condemned remarks attributed to prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over the continued adoption of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Nwosu described the cleric’s reference to Christians as “infidels” as provocative and divisive, warning that religiously charged political rhetoric could deepen mistrust and undermine national unity.

Jingir’s comments have triggered criticism from several political and religious figures, with the controversy once again placing the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket at the centre of Nigeria’s emerging 2027 political debate. 

Nwosu: Religious Leaders Should Promote Unity

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Nwosu urged religious leaders to use their influence to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among Nigerians.

According to him, Nigeria’s religious diversity makes it particularly important for influential public figures to avoid language capable of creating divisions between Christians and Muslims.

Nwosu argued that no religion should be used as a platform for insulting or degrading followers of another faith.

He stressed that Nigeria belongs to people of different religious, ethnic and regional backgrounds who have historically interacted, worked and lived together.

The former Imo governorship candidate warned that provocative comments could damage relationships between communities and create unnecessary tension at a time when the country needs greater unity.

What Did Sheikh Jingir Say?

Jingir renewed his support for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket at a political gathering in Kano attended by prominent political figures, including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi.

The cleric praised President Bola Tinubu for adopting a Muslim-Muslim ticket during the 2023 presidential election and urged Muslims to continue supporting the arrangement ahead of 2027.

Jingir also called on Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the electoral process.

However, his remarks became controversial after he referred to Christians as “infidels” while urging Muslims to demonstrate their numerical strength politically.

The comments have since attracted criticism from politicians, Christian leaders and civil society voices who argued that religious identity should not be weaponised for political mobilisation. 

Controversy Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket Returns

The latest controversy has revived one of the most sensitive political debates from the 2023 presidential election.

The All Progressives Congress presented Bola Tinubu, a Muslim from Nigeria’s South-West, as its presidential candidate and Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from the North-East, as his running mate.

The decision generated significant debate before the election, particularly among Christian groups and political actors who argued that a same-faith ticket did not adequately reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity.

Supporters of the arrangement countered that political competence, experience, party strategy and voters’ choices should be more important than religious balancing.

Tinubu and Shettima eventually won the 2023 presidential election, making the Muslim-Muslim ticket a reality at the federal level.

With another presidential election approaching in 2027, the question of whether political parties should again adopt same-faith tickets is already becoming an important issue.

Nwosu Calls for Restraint

Reacting to the controversy, Nwosu appealed to both Christians and Muslims not to allow the comments of individual religious figures to damage the relationship between the two communities.

He said Nigerians should focus on issues capable of improving the country rather than allowing political competition to turn into religious confrontation.

Nwosu also urged the Federal Government to pay attention to public statements that could potentially threaten national cohesion.

He argued that where an utterance violates the law, relevant authorities should take appropriate action in accordance with existing legal provisions.

The former governorship candidate maintained that Nigeria's political differences should be debated peacefully without turning religious identity into a tool for attacking opponents or other faith communities.

Adeyanju and Other Nigerians React

Nwosu’s criticism follows similar concerns raised by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who also condemned Jingir’s comments.

Adeyanju argued that Nigeria’s religious diversity requires political and religious leaders to exercise restraint, particularly as the country moves closer to another highly competitive general election.

Other public figures have also criticised Jingir's position. Former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso described the remarks as divisive and said such rhetoric should be discouraged. 

Northern Christian Association chairman Rev. Joseph Hayab also criticised the cleric, saying inflammatory rhetoric could deepen existing religious divisions. 

Former Youth and Sports Development Minister Solomon Dalung has likewise expressed concern over what he described as divisive religious rhetoric surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket. 

Why the 2027 Muslim-Muslim Ticket Debate Matters

The debate goes beyond the choice of a presidential running mate.

Nigeria is one of Africa’s most religiously diverse countries, with large Christian and Muslim populations distributed across different regions. Consequently, political parties often consider religion, ethnicity, region, zoning and other factors when selecting presidential candidates and running mates.

A same-faith presidential ticket can therefore generate questions about representation and inclusion, even when supporters argue that candidates should be judged primarily on competence.

The controversy surrounding Jingir’s comments demonstrates how quickly discussions about electoral strategy can become intertwined with religious identity.

For political parties preparing for 2027, the challenge will be to mobilise supporters without creating the perception that political competition is a contest between religious communities.

Election Participation Remains Important

Despite the controversy, Jingir’s call for Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards highlights an important aspect of the approaching election cycle: voter participation.

Political disagreements are ultimately settled through the democratic process, and eligible Nigerians will have the opportunity to choose their preferred candidates.

Rather than allowing religious or political rhetoric to discourage participation, Nigerians can engage with the electoral process by obtaining their voter credentials, studying party manifestos and evaluating candidates based on issues that affect their communities and the country as a whole.

The 2027 election is expected to generate intense political competition, making responsible political communication increasingly important.

Nwosu Appeals to Christians and Muslims

Nwosu concluded by urging Christians and Muslims to remain calm and resist attempts to divide them along religious lines.

He stressed that Nigerians have far more in common than the issues that separate them and urged citizens to protect the bonds of friendship and cooperation that exist across religious communities.

His intervention adds to the growing calls for politicians, clerics and other influential figures to exercise restraint as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections.

The controversy surrounding Jingir’s remarks is therefore unlikely to end the debate over Muslim-Muslim tickets. Instead, it could become an early indication of how religion, identity and political mobilisation will feature in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential contest.

For many Nigerians, the central question will not simply be whether a presidential ticket consists of two Muslims, two Christians or candidates of different faiths, but whether political leaders can build an inclusive government capable of addressing insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, infrastructure deficits and other challenges confronting citizens.

As the 2027 election approaches, the demand for responsible political speech is likely to become even stronger.

FAQ: Jingir, Nwosu and the Muslim-Muslim Ticket Debate

Who is Uche Nwosu?

Uche Nwosu is a Nigerian politician and former governorship candidate in Imo State. He has criticised Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir’s recent comments concerning Christians and the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

What did Sheikh Sani Jingir say?

Jingir renewed his support for Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 election and urged Muslims to unite politically. His remarks became controversial after he referred to Christians as “infidels” while discussing religious and political numbers. 

Why is the Muslim-Muslim ticket controversial in Nigeria?

The issue is controversial because Nigeria has a highly diverse religious population. Critics argue that a same-faith presidential ticket can raise concerns about inclusion and representation, while supporters maintain that competence and voters’ choices should take priority over religious balancing.

Was the 2023 APC presidential ticket Muslim-Muslim?

Yes. The APC ticket consisted of Bola Tinubu as presidential candidate and Kashim Shettima as running mate. Both are Muslims.

What did Uche Nwosu say about Jingir’s comments?

Nwosu described the remarks as divisive and warned that provocative religious statements could create unnecessary tension and undermine national unity.

Has anyone else criticised Jingir?

Yes. Several figures have criticised the remarks, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, Deji Adeyanju, Rev. Joseph Hayab and Solomon Dalung. 

Why is the issue resurfacing ahead of 2027?

Political parties are beginning to position themselves for the 2027 general elections, making questions about presidential candidates and running mates increasingly prominent. The religious composition of presidential tickets is therefore expected to remain part of the political conversation.

What should Nigerians focus on ahead of 2027?

Voters can focus on candidates’ policies, competence, integrity, track records and plans for addressing Nigeria’s economic, security and development challenges while participating peacefully in the democratic process.

Uche Nwosu

Sani Jingir

Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir

Muslim-Muslim ticket

2027 presidential election

Nigeria 2027 election

Tinubu Muslim-Muslim ticket

religious tension in Nigeria

Nigeria politics

APC 2027