‘I have no regrets’- Islamic cleric defends Muslim-Muslim ticket remark

Islamic cleric, Sani Jingir, says he has no regrets over his recent comments advocating a Muslim-Muslim ticket in Nigeria.

While speaking at a mass wedding organised by the Kano state government for 1,500 couples, last week, Jingir urged Muslims to “vote in a manner that would reflect their numerical strength in the country.”

He averred that Nigeria is majorly a Muslim country and that in the 2023 election, Muslims were able to prove their majority by massively voting in support of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.  

Following the backlash he received, Jingir in an interview with BBC Hausa on Tuesday,  said he’s standing by his statement and will not apologise.

“I have absolutely no regrets. I stand firmly by my words and will never apologise. I will continue to advocate for a Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he said

Jingir said his advocacy was based on his religious beliefs and was not an endorsement of President Tinubu or former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, the preaching podium was a sacred space for educating people and that he had a responsibility to communicate what he considered the truth to his congregation.

Jingir said he consistently tells his congregation that participating in politics is a religious obligation. He urged Muslims to engage in the process based on their beliefs rather than financial inducements from politicians.

“I am not campaigning for Bola Tinubu, I am campaigning for my religion. As I have stated before, my advocacy for a Muslim-Muslim leadership structure is not about Tinubu or Muhammadu Buhari. It is strictly for the sake of Allah. My additional perspective is that today’s world is filled with propaganda, which fails to let people truly understand the situation they are in. The preaching podium is a sacred space meant for education.”

The cleric said he had anticipated criticism over his position and will not be discouraged by public backlash.

Jingir also defended his right to advocate for a Muslim candidate, saying his comments did not prevent anyone from voting according to their preference.

“If you know you are speaking the truth, you must never allow public criticism to discourage you, which is why I continuously emphasise this message. I have already mentally prepared for the backlash. Whatever they say about me, I am fully ready to face it.

My words carry no harm. I explicitly stated that people are free to vote for whoever they want, while I will personally do what aligns with my beliefs.”

Jingir also claimed he had received widespread support from Muslims over his position.

“I swear that I have received immense support from the Muslim community. A vast majority of Muslims agree with this stance. Look at what happened during my address in Kano. I asked the crowd if they stood with Islamic principles, and they overwhelmingly responded in the affirmative.”  he said