“He Must Be Mad” — Oyedepo Slams Sheikh Jingir Over Claim Nigeria Is an Islamic Nation
Living Faith Church founder rejects Islamic nation assertion as Islamic cleric denies hate speech allegations and maintains support for Muslim-Muslim ticket
Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has strongly rejected suggestions that Nigeria is an Islamic nation, describing anyone who holds such a view as “mad.” The cleric made the comment during his Sunday service, weighing in on the ongoing debate over Nigeria’s religious identity that has intensified ahead of the 2027 general election. “Watch Redemption Camp, watch Salvation Ministries, watch Dunamis watch various churches in Nigeria and somebody will stand and say Nigeria is an Islamic nation. Is he mad? Yes, he must be mad,” Oyedepo said. To back his position, the bishop cited the scale and visibility of major Christian churches across the country, arguing that their large congregations and nationwide activities undercut any claim that Nigeria is an Islamic state. Oyedepo further stirred attention with a cryptic prediction, declaring that “there shall be strange happenings between now and the next 12 months in Nigeria,” without elaborating on what this would entail.
Oyedepo’s comments came in response to remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS). Jingir had spoken at a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, where he publicly declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential race. At the event, Jingir reportedly argued that Muslims constitute the majority in Nigeria and maintained that the country belongs to Muslims. “My candidate is Bola Ahmad Bola Tinubu. The President selected a Muslim as his vice. I am one of those who called people to support the Muslim-Muslim ticket,” Jingir was quoted as saying. He further stated: “I know some non-Muslims don’t like the word Muslim-Muslim. As a Muslim who preaches Islam, if I support Muslim-Muslim, what is my offence? What have I done wrong? I don’t stop anyone who believes or supports another candidate from doing the same.”
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Amid the growing backlash, Jingir has denied claims that he harbours hatred towards Christians, describing such allegations as “mere lies” and insisting that his recent comments were misunderstood. The Islamic cleric made the clarification while speaking at a one-day national symposium in Jos themed “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria.” “A lot of people are saying I dislike Christians. I didn’t say I dislike Christians. It is a lie. My remarks were misinterpreted. Leadership in Islam is not about cheating people of different faiths. Islam teaches us to share love with people of different faiths or sects,” Jingir said. He explained that Islam promotes love, fairness and justice, regardless of religious affiliation, adding that Muslims would be held accountable for mistreating non-Muslims. The cleric further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors and other political leaders to govern with fairness and justice, regardless of religious or political differences. “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.
Jingir also defended Nigerians’ right to support candidates of their choice during elections, saying, “Everyone has the right to vote for whoever he feels is okay with him to vote for during an election.” He cited his support for a Christian governorship candidate in Plateau State as evidence that his political choices were not motivated by religious hatred. “Everyone has the right to vote for whoever he feels is okay with him to vote for during an election. I have once voted for a non-Muslim as governor in Plateau State, and I voted for him against another Christian contestant, whom I felt would not do justice to all manner of people, including Muslims,” he said.
Oyedepo’s public rebuke adds another prominent religious voice to an increasingly sensitive debate over religion, political representation and national identity as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify. Critics have accused Jingir of using his religious position to influence political choices and deepen religious divisions ahead of the 2027 elections. The timing of the remarks makes them particularly sensitive as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general election, with political actors already positioning themselves for what is expected to be a highly competitive electoral contest.