Stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have condemned the nasty religious comment by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir during the mass wedding ceremony held in Kano State recently.
Sheikh Jingir had declared Muslims as superior to Christians, referring to them as infidels, and stressing that Nigeria is a Muslim country.
Reacting to the comment, the ADC stakeholders insisted that what the North needs is good governance anchored on justice, not inflammatory religious comments in support of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
The ADC stakeholders, under the auspices of the Grassroots Mobilization Network (GMN), in a statement issued in Abuja by the Secretary-General, Usman Bala Idris, urged Nigerians to reject the comments and ideology of Sheikh Jingir.
They maintained that religious leaders must abstain from reckless inflammatory comments that can affect the peace and tranquillity of the country.
“Sheikh Jingir’s view does not represent Islam and Muslims, but his personal interest,” the statement read, adding: “Islam is a religion of justice, fairness and the protection of the rights of all citizens. It does not preach hatred or claim superiority over others.”
While condemning the push for a same-faith presidential ticket by the APC, Idris described it as a threat to Nigeria’s unity and diversity.
“A same-faith ticket is anti-people, anti-unity and anti our divergent nature. Nigeria, and particularly the North, is composed of Muslims and Christians who have coexisted for centuries. We must not allow politicians to exploit religion to divide us for political gains,” they noted.
The GMN scribe further appealed to patriotic Nigerians to call APC’s Sheikh Jingir to order, adding: “We appeal to all patriotic Nigerians to call APC’s Sheikh Jingir to order.”
“Muslims stand for justice and not oppression, which the APC government represents,” they noted, urging voters to prioritise competence and character over religious identity.
“Therefore, voters should reject Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir’s comments and ideology. What is important to the North is good governance whether led by a Muslim or a Christian, provided it delivers justice, security, food and jobs for our people,” they noted.
They called on the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to caution clerics against hate speech and divisive sermons.
(The Sun)