The chairman of the Council of Ulama of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS, Jos Zone, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has distanced the Islamic organisation from his recent call for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027, saying it was his personal view, not the official position of JIBWIS.
Jingir made the clarification on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Kano, amid mounting criticism and tension over his earlier statement.
The cleric had earlier advocated that Nigerians support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term on the same Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.
His comment drew sharp reactions across the country, with Christian leaders, civil society groups and political commentators warning that such advocacy could deepen religious divisions ahead of the elections.
Critics argued that revisiting the Muslim-Muslim ticket, which generated heated debate in 2023, was insensitive in a multi-religious nation like Nigeria.
Addressing the fallout, Jingir said his remarks reflected his personal assessment of the political situation and should not be taken as a directive from JIBWIS.
‘My call for Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima was not a position adopted by the organisation. It was my personal opinion,’ he said.
The cleric urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional rights by carefully considering candidates and political parties before voting in 2027.
He also appealed to political and religious leaders to promote peace, tolerance, and unity, stressing the need for ‘responsible political engagement’ ahead of the polls.
Despite the clarification, Jingir’s initial statement continues to generate debate, with many Nigerians questioning the timing and motive behind the renewed push for a same-faith ticket.
Observers note that with 2027 still over a year away, early religious-based political advocacy risks reopening fault lines that shaped the 2023 election discourse.
JIBWIS, one of Nigeria’s largest Islamic organisations, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.