Some Islamic leaders have cautioned against anti-Christian rhetoric surrounding the proposed Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clerics urged Nigerians to place competence, fairness, justice, national development and unity above religious considerations, warning that provocative statements could deepen religious divisions and harm the political process.
The comments followed renewed controversy over the 2027 same-faith ticket, particularly after Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Jingir argued that the ticket and Tinubu’s 2023 victory demonstrated that Muslims outnumber Christians in Nigeria.
However, Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Iskil Awwal, called on Muslim leaders to avoid inflammatory statements, stressing that Nigeria needs unity and effective leadership to confront its economic and security challenges.
Similarly, the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, said Jingir was entitled to his opinion but that his position should not be interpreted as representing the entire Muslim community.
Ahmad argued that the focus should be on the fairness, representativeness, effectiveness and decency of those in government rather than their religious identities.
Another Islamic leader, Sheikh Daood Molaasan, also appealed for moderation, warning that statements perceived as offensive to Christians could damage the government and undermine national unity.
The leaders stressed that Muslims and Christians have a shared stake in Nigeria’s future and urged politicians and religious figures to avoid turning the 2027 election into a religious contest.
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