{
  "id": 2516193,
  "title": "Sheikh Jingir and the politics of division",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/sheikh-jingir-and-the-politics-of-division",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T05:28:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/sheikh-jingir-and-the-politics-of-division/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigeria is a nation greater than any political party, ethnic group, or individual. The recent statements attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, advocating for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027, are both provocative and divisive. As a religious leader, his words are not in line with the responsibilities expected of him. At a Kano State Government-sponsored mass wedding on August 8, Sheikh Jingir encouraged Muslims to back another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, describing the 2023 election as a religious victory and referring to Christians as \"infidels.\" He declared that those who do not accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave Nigeria, as Muslims supposedly form the majority. His comments have been strongly condemned for their dangerous implications and out-of-step nature with the responsibilities of a religious leader. In a subsequent BBC Hausa interview, Sheikh Jingir refused to retract his statements, saying he has no regrets and continues to advocate for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. However, some political figures have recognized the danger of the religiously supremacist argument and stress that a person can support the ticket based on the competence, character, or suitability of the candidates, not solely due to their shared religion. Nigeria is a secular, multi-religious state, and its diversity should be celebrated rather than used to divide the nation. It is crucial for religious leaders and political actors to focus on the pressing issues facing Nigerians, such as hunger, joblessness, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and poor healthcare. Government should be judged by its actions for the well-being of Nigerians, not by the religious or ethnic divisions it fosters.",
  "summary": "Nigeria is bigger than any political party, ethnic group or individual. This is why the recent remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir on the Muslim-Muslim ticket deserve strong condemnation. They aren’t merely provocative; they are divisive and completely out of step with the responsibilities expected of a religious leader of his standing. Sheikh Jingir […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}