Deji Adeyanju Condemns Sheikh Jingir’s Anti-Christian Remarks, Warns Religious Hate Could Divide Nigeria

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has condemned recent comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, warning that religious rhetoric capable of setting Christians and Muslims against one another could further deepen Nigeria’s divisions.

Adeyanju described the cleric’s remarks as divisive and urged religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace, unity and mutual respect in Nigeria’s multi-religious society.

His reaction followed comments reportedly made by Jingir at a political gathering in Kano State, where the cleric advocated for Muslim-Muslim political tickets ahead of future elections and praised President Bola Tinubu for championing the arrangement.

Jingir reportedly called on Muslims to support Muslim-Muslim tickets at the polls and urged them to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards. During the address, he was also quoted as referring to non-Muslims as “infidels” and calling on his audience to “show the infidels their limit” at the polls.

Adeyanju criticised the rhetoric, arguing that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be respected rather than used as a tool for political mobilisation.

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“Nigeria is a plural society, and our Constitution recognizes and protects that plurality,” Adeyanju said.

He maintained that religious leaders have a responsibility to promote peace and unity rather than language that could fuel tensions between Christians and Muslims.

The lawyer also questioned whether political leadership should be judged primarily through religious identity, asking whether the Muslim-Muslim ticket had translated into better living conditions for Nigerians.

He pointed to issues including insecurity, unemployment and inflation, arguing that Nigerians should evaluate political leaders based on their performance and impact rather than their religious affiliations.

Adeyanju further warned that rhetoric which pits one faith against another could aggravate existing divisions and fuel further agitation across the country.

“Clerics and politicians must stop provoking law-abiding citizens and learn to respect our different religions, cultures and ethnicities. Nigeria belongs to all of us,” he said.

For Nigeria, where Christians and Muslims make up the overwhelming majority of the population, the remarks come amid growing public debate over religion, politics and the 2027 elections.

Adeyanju’s position was ultimately a call for Nigerians to look beyond religious identity and protect the country’s shared identity, while encouraging religious and political leaders to use their platforms responsibly.