- Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir faced backlash over comments made at a Kano State mass wedding ceremony for 1,500 couples
- The JIBWIS chairman addressed the controversy at a national symposium held in Jos, calling the accusations lies
- Jingir also urged President Tinubu and state governors to lead with fairness regardless of religion or political affiliation
The Chairman of Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has pushed back against claims that he harbours hostility towards Christians, insisting that the allegations are false and that his original comments were taken out of context.
Jingir had come under fire after remarks he made at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano State government for 1,500 couples. Some Nigerians argued the comments were divisive along religious lines, triggering widespread criticism of the Islamic scholar.
Source: Twitter
Jingir speaks in Jos
Addressing a One-Day National Symposium in Jos, themed “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria,” the cleric directly responded to his critics.
“A lot of people are saying I dislike Christians. I didn’t say I dislike Christians. It is a lie. My remarks were misinterpreted,” he said.
Jingir went on to say that Islam does not permit mistreatment of people on the basis of their faith. He argued that Muslims would be held accountable before God for any injustice committed against non-Muslims, and pointed to the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a model of peaceful relations with people of other religions.
He also called on Nigerians across all ethnic and religious groups to prioritise unity, warning that development could not take root in a country divided by insecurity and discord.
“Without peace, there will be no development,” he said.
Call on Tinubu and governors
Beyond addressing the controversy, Jingir used the symposium to appeal directly to Nigeria’s political leadership. He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and state governors to govern with impartiality, regardless of the religious, ethnic or political backgrounds of their constituents.
“I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to cheat non-Muslims and Muslims alike. I also call on you not to cheat those who are not in the same political party with you. You should lead with justice and fairness to all Nigerians,” he said.
The cleric added that every Nigerian had the constitutional right to support and vote for any candidate of their choice during elections, stressing that political leaders must respect this freedom rather than use governance to reward loyalty or punish opposition.
His previous video below:
2027: Islamic clerics, others drum support for Tinubu
Previously, Legit.ng reported that more than 500 Islamic scholars, preachers, and clerics drawn from across Nigeria endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, following a closed-door meeting held in Jigawa state.
The endorsement came after the clerics met with six northern governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and Ibrahim Masari, who serves as President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Matters.
Source: Legit.ng