Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has criticised a call by Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Jingir for Muslims to support a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Fani-Kayode described the cleric’s position as “highly provocative” and warned that such rhetoric could deepen religious divisions in the country. Punch Newspaper reported the development on Sunday.
Jingir had recently declared his support for Muslim-Muslim candidates and urged members of the Muslim community to back such candidates in the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the statement, Fani-Kayode said Nigeria was neither a Muslim nor Christian country, but a secular and multi-religious nation comprising both Christians and Muslims.
He argued that political support should be based on the competence, character, integrity and electoral strength of candidates rather than their religious identities.
Fani-Kayode, who supports the continuation of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027, said his position was based on his assessment of the candidates and not because they share his religious background.
He maintained that Nigeria could also have a Christian-Christian ticket in the future if the candidates were capable of providing effective leadership.
The former Aviation Minister urged Nigerians to focus on policies, personalities and issues that affect the country rather than allowing religion to become a source of division.
He further appealed to Nigerians to prioritise national unity, stressing that citizens should see themselves as Nigerians before identifying with their religious affiliations.
Fani-Kayode also warned that inflammatory religious rhetoric could lead the country down a “slippery and dangerous slope,” urging political and religious leaders to exercise caution in their public statements.
