Sheikh Jingir Denies Anti-Christian Allegations, Charges Tinubu on Fairness for All Nigerians

Sheikh Jingir Denies Anti-Christian Allegations, Charges Tinubu on Fairness for All Nigerians

Islamic cleric clarifies remarks amid backlash over Kano mass wedding comments, urges leaders to govern without religious or political bias

JOS—Chairman of the Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has dismissed allegations that he harbours hatred towards Christians, describing the claims as “mere lies” and a misinterpretation of his recent remarks. The Islamic cleric came under heavy criticism following comments he made at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, which some Nigerians described as divisive along religious lines. The controversy was further fueled by the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) , which condemned his reported description of Christians as “Arna,” a Hausa term meaning infidel or unbeliever. Speaking at a one-day national symposium with the theme, “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria,” held in Jos on Sunday, Jingir insisted his remarks were not intended to express hatred towards Christians or non-Muslims.

Addressing the gathering, the JIBWIS chairman stated categorically that the allegations against him were unfounded and a gross misinterpretation of his earlier comments. “A lot of people are saying I dislike Christians. I didn’t say I dislike Christians. It is a lie. My remarks were misinterpreted,” Jingir declared. He further explained that Islamic teachings demand fairness and justice for people of all faiths, stressing that Muslims would be held accountable on the Day of Judgement for any injustice committed against non-Muslims. According to the cleric, “Leadership in Islam is not about cheating people of different faiths. Islam teaches us to share love with people of different faiths or sects.” He added that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) lived peacefully with people of other faiths, urging Nigerians to promote peaceful coexistence as a cornerstone of national development.

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In a direct address to the nation’s political leaders, Jingir urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, and other officials to ensure fairness and justice in discharging their responsibilities, regardless of citizens’ ethnic, religious, or political affiliations. “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 JIBWIS chairman also affirmed every Nigerian’s right to freely choose and support candidates of their choice during elections, stating that “everyone has the right to vote for whoever he feels is okay with him to vote for during an election.”

The controversy surrounding Jingir’s earlier comments has drawn widespread reactions from various quarters. The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) had warned that referring to Christians as “Arna” was inaccurate and amounted to a denigration of the Christian faith. In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Isaac Abrak, the group declared that “Christians are faithful believers in Jesus Christ, whom we worship as the Son of the Almighty God. We are not ‘infidels’ or people without faith.” NCYP warned that such rhetoric could “reopen old religious wounds” and provide fertile ground for extremists to exploit, while also calling on moderate Muslim leaders, Islamic scholars, and responsible religious leaders to publicly reject statements capable of inflaming religious sentiments.

In a separate development, a Christian advocacy organisation, RID Nigeria, demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Sheikh Jingir over his public labelling of Christians as “infidels,” citing violations of the Constitution, the Cybercrimes Act, and the Terrorism Prevention Act. The National Human Rights Commission had similarly called for Jingir’s arrest over a week ago, though no action has reportedly been taken. Despite the backlash, Jingir urged Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and togetherness, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of insecurity and division. “Without peace, there will be no development,” he said, calling on citizens to strengthen peaceful coexistence among the country’s various ethnic and religious groups.

Sheikh Jingir Denies Anti-Christian Allegations, Charges Tinubu on Fairness for All Nigerians