Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir’s recent outburst was reckless rhetoric and a dangerous provocation that well-meaning Nigerians have condemned. Speaking at the Kano State Government’s mass wedding for 1,500 couples, in the presence of Governors Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano and Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Jingir urged Muslims to sustain the Muslim-Muslim ticket. He referred to Christians as “infidels” who must be shown their limits. Such sabre-rattling, coming as mobilisation gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 campaigns and elections, is intolerable. Jingir is based in Jos, Plateau State, one of the places in Nigeria most scarred by violent conflicts with religious dimensions. He should know the consequences of language that turns citizens into enemies. Nigeria is already too battered by terrorism, banditry, communal violence and religious manipulation to stomach such irresponsibility.

Balancing presidential and gubernatorial tickets is desirable to sustain peaceful coexistence and a sense of belonging. Political choices are legitimate, so long as the interests of national diversity are equally protected. What is unacceptable is presenting political competition as a religious struggle and branding fellow Nigerians “infidels.” That crosses from political advocacy into dangerous bigotry and hate speech.

Jingir’s claim that Muslims must permanently dominate the presidential ticket is contrary to the principle of nation-building. Nigeria’s constitution does not prescribe a religious formula for elective office. But Section 14(3) mandates the composition of government and its agencies to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and avoid the predominance of persons from a few states or sections. The spirit is inclusion and belonging. A presidency must carry Christians, Muslims and citizens of other faiths along. Equally disturbing is the silence of the governors who witnessed the spectacle. Governor Yusuf and Governor Namadi should have corrected the cleric. Their silence risks being interpreted as approval. Nigerians of goodwill from both faiths have condemned Jingir’s remarks. Yet he remains defiant.

In 2024, Bauchi-based cleric Idris Tenshi was reported to have called for the killing of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a Christian pastor, because she is married to a Muslim, President Tinubu. He later apologised. That episode should have been a warning. What happens when Christian preachers retaliate with equally vicious anti-Muslim sermons?

The authorities should investigate Jingir’s remarks under applicable laws and prosecute where appropriate. It is unacceptable to allow such misconduct to continue. Religious bodies should enforce professional codes for preachers and project the image of their religions in a good light. Otherwise, the government may be forced to interfere and take steps, such as licensing of sects and preachers, thus curbing religious freedom. The Federal and State governments should emulate the decisiveness of Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State on matters of misconduct by religious and traditional rulers. Jingir should be made an example to establish that nobody can weaponise religion against fellow Nigerians.