Sheikh Jingir, a fiery Islamic cleric, whose comment in Kano has sparked serious controversy among people of faith has been asked to apologise over unfortunate remarks that are capable of undermining the future of the country.
Femi Fani-Kayode, a one-time Minister of Aviation, said on X while reacting to the Sheik’s remarks that the Muslim cleric spoke for himself and no one else.
He expressed regret that there were two State governors including that of Kano who were present at the occasion where Jingir decided to speak out of tone.
“I urge Sheik Jingir to apologise to the Church and the Christians in Nigeria, to be more circumspect and cautious when he speaks and to tread on the path of peace, civility and reconciliation for the sake of our beloved country”, Fani-Kayode stated.
According to him, “Christians are not infidels, we are Believers” and ” Nobody is going anywhere because this is our country.”
Acknowledging that the cleric had chosen to walk what he described as a “slippery slope” which is “dangerous” and “best avoided”, the former Minister declared “Nigeria is not a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country.
“Nigeria is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising of BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength.”
“We are supporting a Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027, as we did in 2023, only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims.
“Just as we have a Muslim Muslim ticket today we will also have a Christian Christian ticket one day in the future because with God all things are possible.
“We must leave religion out of politics and consider issues, policies and personalities instead”, he emphasized.
Fani-Kayode accused Sheik Jingir of doing immense damage to President BolaTinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, stressing he suspects that “he is secretly working against them.”.
Recall that shortly after Jingir uttered those words categorised as hate speech, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso denounced the remark in unmistakable terms.
