By Oscar Okhifo
The controversy over remarks attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, in which he reportedly described Christians as “infidels”, has continued to generate reactions across Nigeria, with religious leaders and public figures calling for accountability over inflammatory preaching.
The latest condemnation came from the former Chief Imam of the Apo Legislative Quarters Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Khalid, who described the alleged remarks as painful and unacceptable, particularly because they were reportedly made in the presence of state governors who had sworn to uphold peace, fairness and security in their respective states.
Khalid, who spoke on Monday during a programme on Raypower FM monitored by PointBlankNews.com, called for the reprimand and prosecution of Jingir, warning that allowing religious leaders to make inflammatory statements without consequences could further endanger Nigeria’s fragile religious harmony.
“It is painful. The more some search for peace and religious harmony in this country, the more some others intentionally scatter it. Should such individuals be left alone to keep spreading hate, raising tensions? That should not be.
“We should behave as a people with governing laws.
“That there were governors in that gathering makes it more shocking and disappointing. Why did they allow that? They even nodded and clapped like others. How can we have social cohesion, peace and harmony?
“Those who use religious teachings to threaten others must be made to account for their careless words.
“That Sheikh does not represent Islam. What he said is despicable and unacceptable. He has no right to call Christians infidels. The security agencies should not only caution him; they should do more,” he said.
Khalid said the presence of political leaders at the gathering where the controversial remarks were allegedly made made the incident even more disturbing, stressing that governors had a responsibility to protect all citizens irrespective of their religious affiliations.
He urged President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to publicly distance themselves from Jingir and condemn the alleged remarks.
“The unity and peace of Nigeria should not be compromised at all. We have had enough of violent deaths in the country already. Someone has to say, enough is enough.
“As faith leaders, we must not promote Islamisation or Christianisation. Just be a good person. Preach peace, righteousness and togetherness. Do not incite anyone.
“Let us ensure that those who preach hate are severely dealt with according to our laws. Governors must not aid them at all,” Khalid said.
He specifically commended Niger State Governor Umar Bago for warning against inflammatory preaching in the state and urged other governors to take similar steps to prevent religious rhetoric capable of aggravating tensions.
“The Governor of Niger State has warned against such preachers in his state. All of them should take a cue and not clap or laugh when embers of hate and division are fanned,” he said.
Khalid’s comments add to a growing wave of condemnation of Jingir’s alleged remarks, with prominent Nigerians, religious figures and commentators calling for restraint and accountability.
Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso also condemned the remarks, warning that religious and political leaders had a responsibility to promote truth, peace, unity and reconciliation, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso also stressed the need to dissociate the people of Kano from the controversial remarks, saying, “Such crudity does not represent the views of Kano residents.”
Similarly, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, a former Chief of Staff to former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, condemned Jingir’s alleged description of Christians as “infidels”, describing the remarks as divisive and unacceptable.
Nwosu called on religious and political leaders to exercise restraint in their public utterances, warning against statements capable of deepening religious and social divisions in the country.
Meanwhile, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has denied endorsing the controversial remarks, describing a viral statement purportedly issued by the organisation in defence of Jingir as fake.
The organisation said the purported statement did not emanate from it and called on security agencies to investigate its source and prosecute those responsible for fabricating and circulating it.
The denial has added another dimension to the controversy, which comes amid growing calls from religious leaders, politicians and other Nigerians for responsible conduct by clerics and political actors whose public statements could heighten religious tensions.
The controversy has also renewed concerns about the role of religious and political leaders in a country where religious sentiments have, over the years, been exploited to deepen social divisions and, in some cases, trigger violence.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, calls are growing for political and religious leaders to avoid rhetoric capable of inflaming passions and undermining peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims.
Khalid maintained that religious leaders should use their platforms to promote peace, responsible citizenship and mutual respect rather than portray adherents of another faith as enemies.
He said Nigeria had suffered enough from violence and religious division and warned that inflammatory preaching should no longer be treated as harmless rhetoric.
The controversy could now test the willingness of relevant authorities to enforce existing laws on inflammatory and hate speech, as Nigerians await to see whether the alleged remarks will be investigated and whether they meet the threshold for prosecution.