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By Muhammad Tanko Shittu —
National leader of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has urged President Bola Tinubu to lead Nigeria with justice and fairness, irrespective of religion or political affiliation.
Mr Jingir made the call while reiterating his position on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket at a one-day national symposium titled, “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria,” held on Sunday at the Sadeeqa Event Centre, Jos.
The cleric stressed that his support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket should not be interpreted as hatred for Christians or other non-Muslims.
“I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to cheat non-Muslims and Muslims alike.
“I also call on you not to cheat those who are not in the same political party with you. You should lead with justice and fairness to all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Jingir said every Nigerian had the right to freely choose and support any candidate of his or her choice during elections, regardless of religious affiliation.
He said his political choices had never been motivated by hatred for non-Muslims, adding that he had previously supported a Christian candidate for governor in Plateau State.
“Everyone has the right to vote for whoever he feels is okay with him to vote for during an election.
“I have once voted for a non-Muslim as governor in Plateau State, and I voted for him against another Christian contestant, whom I felt would not do justice to all manner of people, including Muslims,” he said.
The cleric recalled the 2007 governorship election in Plateau State, when a Christian governorship candidate visited his residence to seek his support.
According to Mr Jingir, he declined to support the candidate after observing that there was no Muslim among members of the candidate’s entourage.
“I said to Prof. Dakum Shon, I did not see a single Muslim in the entourage, and no Muslim would represent me in the cabinet after forming his (Governor Jonah Jang’s) government, and that was why I did not vote for that candidate,” he said.
Mr Jingir’s comments reflected his argument that political choices should be based on considerations of justice, representation and inclusiveness rather than religious hostility.
He also maintained that citizens should be free to exercise their democratic rights by supporting candidates they believe would protect their interests, regardless of their religious or political identities.
