Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, has condemned controversial remarks by Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir on Nigeria’s Muslim-Muslim presidency, calling on the Federal Government to intervene.
Enenche, reacting in a video circulating on social media, described Jingir’s comments on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and Nigeria’s religious balance as provocative and capable of heightening religious tension.
“Such people belong either in prison or a psychiatric hospital. It’s time for the Nigerian government to call such people to order,” Enenche said.
Jingir, however, has refused to apologise or withdraw his position.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, the cleric said he had no regrets over his remarks and would continue to advocate a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, insisting that his position was based on his responsibility as a Muslim and was not an endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The controversy followed remarks attributed to Jingir at a mass wedding ceremony in Kano, where he advocated the continuation of the Muslim-Muslim arrangement and urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their numerical strength.
Jingir maintained that he expected criticism and was prepared to continue expressing his views, arguing that Christians also had the right to advise their followers on voting.
Enenche challenged claims about the numerical strength of Muslims and Christians, calling for a credible national census that would allow citizens to declare their religious affiliations.
“If you think you are superior, why didn’t you people allow for the census all these while?” he asked.
“Let everybody tell you what they believe in, then you will be shocked that where you think you come from, there are Christians almost dominating in that place,” he added.
The pastor also warned against taking Christians and the church for granted.
“Nobody should take Christian in this country for granted. Don’t take the church in Nigeria for granted,” he said.
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has also condemned Jingir’s refusal to apologise, calling on President Tinubu and the Sultan of Sokoto to caution him.
Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso similarly warned against religiously divisive rhetoric, saying it could undermine national unity.
Fani-Kayode also claimed that four Northern Muslim governors he spoke with were “ALL appalled” by Jingir’s alleged remarks against Christianity.
The controversy has raised questions about the response of the Federal Government and security agencies. No government sanction against Jingir has been publicly announced.
The Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election remains a sensitive political issue as parties reposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The dispute has now broadened into a debate over religious advocacy, the responsibility of influential clerics and the need to prevent rhetoric capable of deepening Nigeria’s religious fault lines.
With Jingir maintaining his position and Enenche demanding government intervention, attention is now focused on the Presidency, security agencies and the country’s leading religious authorities.