Former Kano State Governor and national political leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has called on the Federal Government to immediately step in and call prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya-Jingir to order over recent inflammatory statements targeting Christians.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday morning in Abuja, Senator Kwankwaso expressed strong disapproval of the cleric’s rhetoric, warning that such divisive commentary threatens religious peace and social stability across the country.
Kwankwaso asserted that Sheikh Jingir was solely driven by selfish motives and was “only working for his pocket” rather than advocating for the genuine interest of the Muslim community or national harmony.
The controversy erupted following comments made by Sheikh Jingir, who serves as the Chairman of the Council of Ulama of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), during a public political gathering in Kano.
In his address, the cleric openly disparaged non-Muslim citizens and urged northern voters to leverage their numerical strength to sustain exclusive political power ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reactions to the cleric’s remarks were swift, with civil rights groups and national figures echoing Kwankwaso’s concerns. Speaking on behalf of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja, Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu issued a statement calling on the Department of State Services and the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute religious figures who promote hate speech.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), represented by Northern Region spokesperson Rev. Joseph Hayab, urged political leaders present at the venue to publicly disavow the offensive statements to reassure citizens of all faiths.
Kwankwaso maintained that federal intervention remains crucial to upholding religious tolerance and protecting national unity as political campaigns gather momentum.
