By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Former Youth and Sports Development Minister Solomon Dalung has flayed the extremely divisive and religious sentiments credited to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, the National Chairman Council of Ulama Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’lkamatis Sunnah ,JIBWIS ,Jos ,to the effect that the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressive Congress, APC, will assist in establishing and maintaining political dominance in Nigeria by Muslims.
Dalung warned that Nigeria could slide into avoidable abyss of religious crisis and what he described “as religious majoritarianism” should Sheikh Jinjir’s provocative rhetorics and their likes are not urgently checked.
The source reports that the Jos-based Muslim Cleric had, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at an event in Kano, tagged ” Abba Go Again” lauded President Bola Tinubu for sticking with the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sheikh Jinjir told his audience, including Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf of Kano, that the Muslim-Muslim ticket which he was, and still a major proponent, both in 2023 and now, was primarily designed to help in establishing Muslim dominance in the political landscape of the country.
He particularly praised President Tinubu ,whom he referred to as, hs “political hero” for his steadfastness in projecting and holding “the Muslim-Muslim flag.”
Sheikh Jinjir emphasized that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has assisted in settling the debate on which religion is in the majority in the country.
“Before the 2023 general elections the infidels (non -Muslims) had believed that they were in the majority. But by the grace of God we roundly defeated them in 2023 Presidential election with the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and with the victory settled the fact that Muslims are in the majority in Nigeria.
“In fact ,the infidels were completely defeated, so much so that they couldn’t even come second, but managed to come third during the 2023 elections.
“And in this forthcoming 2027 general elections, we want to maintain that Muslim dominance in Nigeria. That is why I am in total support of the Muslim-Muslim ticket again.
“Special thanks to my political hero, President Tinubu for promoting this Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“I am one of the staunch champions of the Muslim-Muslim ticket because it has helped us to maintain Muslim dominance.
” I understand that the infidels are not happy with my stand . But I have not stopped the Christians and Traditionalists from carrying out their own campaigns.
“So, I urge you all to go and obtain your PVCs and get ready to vote for the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket ,and all other Muslim candidates”, Sheikh Jinjir stated.
But in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Sunday, Dalung condemned Jingir’s position that the electoral victory of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023 has established Muslims numerical strength in Nigeria.
He questioned the basis for the reduction of the country’s complex political and socio-economic problems to just a religious headcount.
According to the former Youths and Sports Development Minister, Nigeria has not become a religious trophy to be appropriated by the faith that can prove numerical superiority.
He emphasized that the nature of a presidential ticket only does not feed hungry families , secure communities from kidnappers and criminal elements , create jobs and fix the country’s dilapidated infrastructural facilities.
“A Muslim-Muslim ticket does not put food on a Muslim family’s table. It does not rescue a kidnapped Muslim farmer; it does not educate a Muslim child or make fuel, food and medicine available and affordable.
“It does not also fix bad roads, restore reliable electricity or provide functional hospitals”, Dalung warned.
Dalung, a chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress ADC especially condemned Sheikh Jinjir for calling his fellow country men and women infidels, simply because they do not belong to his faith.
He warned against any attempts by some people to view and turn fellow citizens into religious rivals.
“Your fellow citizens? Your neighbours?. The people whose taxes help fund the Government. You are calling infidels?”, he queried.
Further blasting the Muslim Cleric over his extremist disposition, the former Minister reminded him of Christians who had, and are still supporting Muslim candidates,as well as Muslims rooting for Christian political public officers seekers .
He expressed serious concern and regret that at a time an overwhelming majority of Nigerians are bothered about how to enthrone competent and caring leaderships at all levels, some individuals like Sheikh Jinjir are seeking to establish religious identity and superiority.
Dalung cautioned against allowing political discourse to centre on which religion has the numerical strength, insisting that it portends serious danger for the survival of the nation.
“If the argument has now become ‘we are more in numbers, therefore we should dominate them’, we have moved from democracy to religious arithmetic”, he added
Dalung emphasized that rather than fanning unnecessary religious sentiments, supporters of Muslim-Muslim ticket should defend it based on measurable indices including competence , security, justice, economy, and good governance.
According to him, Nigeria belongs to Muslims, Christians , Traditionalists and others. He warned that no citizens should be told to “Know their limits” as did Sheikh Jinjir in his attempt to promote Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The ADC chieftain also cautioned political actors, religious and community leaders against against promoting rhetorics capable of undermining the national unity and stability.
Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, dismissed Sheikh Jinjir’s comments as very provocative and insulting.
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