DESPITE widespread criticism, Islamic cleric and leader of the Izala Scholars Council, Sani Yahaya Jingir, said he has no regret over his recent declaration of support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and anti-Christian comment.
The cleric, who made the comment during a mass wedding organised and sponsored by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, declared his support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket, urging Muslims to vote in a manner that would reflect their numerical dominance in Nigeria.
Jingir said he decided to support the ticket after President Bola Tinubu “raised the flag” of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, adding that as a Muslim preacher, he had the right to advocate a political arrangement that was consistent with his religious convictions.
He also dismissed claims that Christians or other religious groups form a larger population than Muslims in the country.
Ignoring the criticism against his remark, Jingir, in a BBC Hausa interview on Wednesday, August 12, said his position was not politically motivated or intended to campaign for President Bola Tinubu, but was based on his responsibility as a Muslim.
The controversial cleric said he would continue to support and encourage Muslims to back a Muslim-Muslim ticket, regardless of the criticisms his position might attract, adding: “I will continue to support and encourage the Muslim-Muslim ticket. “What they say would not stop me. They started it; at a point, we suffered in their hands.”
