Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Sultan of Sokoto to publicly caution Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over comments he described as divisive and potentially harmful to Nigeria’s religious harmony.
In a statement titled “The Gospel According to Sheik Jingir”, Fani-Kayode expressed concern that the cleric’s reported remarks about Christians and Christianity could heighten religious tension.
He noted that Jingir had insisted he had “no regrets” about his comments, which he said had unsettled both Christians and Muslims.
Fani-Kayode praised the Sultan for his recent appeal urging Christians and Muslims not to insult one another, describing it as “fatherly counsel.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s unity must not be undermined by religious differences, insisting that both faiths deserve equal respect.
“I am a Nigerian Christian and I deserve to be respected for who and what I am just as every Nigerian Muslim deserves to be respected for who and what he is as well,” he said, rejecting suggestions that his position was motivated by hostility toward Islam.
On the 2023 Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, Fani-Kayode clarified that his support was based on competence, not religious superiority.
He condemned remarks suggesting Christians were inferior or should leave Nigeria if unhappy with the ticket, warning that such rhetoric damages the cause it claims to support.
“Let me make this clear and I speak for millions: with those few words spoken at that public event which was televised before millions of Nigerians and members of the international community, Jingir has done more harm to the Muslim/Muslim ticket that he claims to support than anything and anyone else,” he said.
Fani-Kayode also rejected attempts to link extremist groups like Maitatsine to Christianity, stressing that violent sects should not be associated with any religion.
He urged leaders and citizens alike to safeguard peaceful relations between Christians and Muslims.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com