Nigeria: Sheikh Jingir Tackled for 'Manipulating' Religion Ahead 2027

What the report says

Criticism has followed comments by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, the national chairman of Jama'atu Izalatil Bid'a Wa'ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), after he urged Muslims to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election. The remarks were made on Saturday at a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, according to Daily Trust, and quickly drew accusations that religion was being used to shape political choices.

In the report, Jingir defended his position by saying he supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket and saw no wrong in encouraging that choice as a Muslim preacher. His comments were widely discussed on social media and were described by some critics as divisive and harmful to the public image of Islam in Nigeria.

Among those reacting was Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director Isa Sanusi, who said the remarks were un-Islamic and amounted to weaponising religion for political ends. Former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung also said the argument around the ticket did not address everyday hardships facing Nigerians. Nigeria's ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, called the comments provocative, while saying his own support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket would depend on candidate qualities rather than religion.

The episode matters because religion remains a sensitive factor in Nigerian politics, especially ahead of another general election cycle. The debate also reflects broader concerns over whether clerics and political figures should use faith-based language when discussing electoral support.