Comments by JIBWIS National Chairman, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, in support of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket have sparked reactions from Islamic cleric Dr Ahmad Gumi, the Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Dr Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic scholar, has called for religion to be kept out of partisan politics, warning against the use of religious sentiments to influence political contests.

Gumi stated this in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday while responding to Jingir’s remarks at a mass wedding in Kano on Saturday.

Jingir had reportedly encouraged Muslims to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next presidential election, citing the president’s choice of a fellow Muslim as his running mate. He also defended the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

The position has attracted criticism from Christian leaders, civil society organisations and activists, who said the remarks could promote division.

Gumi, however, said Jingir’s position could be viewed in the context of the religious challenges he faces, referring to what he described as widespread bigotry against Islam.

“Sheikh Jingir should be excused for his extreme view in politics; he dwells in the eye of the storm of excessive bigotry against Islam,” he wrote.

The cleric also pointed to a recent controversy involving a Muslim vice-chancellor in Plateau State, saying, “Just recently, a mere Muslim VC in Plateau State is stirring controversy.”

Gumi maintained that religious sentiments are also being employed by politicians outside the ruling party to attract electoral support.

“On the other hand, the opposition is not also free from using religion to garner votes,” he said.

He therefore called for greater restraint in political engagements involving religious identity, arguing that Nigeria’s diverse faith communities should be respected.

“In a multi-religious entity, religion should not be dragged into the quagmire of dirty politics,” Gumi said.

In a separate statement, the Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has denied backing Jingir’s position on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

The denial followed a report attributed to JNI Plateau media aide Abdulsalam Ahamed, which claimed that the organisation supported the JIBWIS leader.

JNI Plateau Publicity Secretary, Gambo Hamza, dismissed the publication as false and said it did not represent the organisation’s position.

He said Jingir could express his personal views but cautioned against presenting them as the official stance of JNI Plateau.

According to Hamza, the organisation remains focused on promoting peace, unity, understanding between religious communities and peaceful coexistence.

He said JNI Plateau did not approve or issue any statement expressing “100 per cent” backing for Jingir over the Muslim-Muslim ticket or any other partisan political issue.

The group also asked security agencies to investigate the alleged false attribution and prosecute anyone found responsible under the law.

Former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, also weighed in on the controversy.

Kwankwaso said influential religious figures should be careful about making statements that could deepen divisions in society.

“Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” he said in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

He called on political and religious leaders to uphold truth, encourage unity and support reconciliation across the country.