Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has condemned remarks attributed to Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, in support of the continued use of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso described the comments as divisive and warned that such statements could further threaten national unity at a critical period in the country’s political development.
The former governor made his position known in a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, expressing concern over comments reportedly made by Jingir at an event in Kano during the weekend.
According to Kwankwaso, religious leaders with significant influence should use their platforms to promote peace, unity and reconciliation rather than make statements capable of deepening religious or political divisions.
“I am deeply concerned by the comments made by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir at an event in Kano this weekend. At this critical moment in our nation’s history, statements that promote division and disunity must be firmly discouraged,” he stated.
Kwankwaso said the remarks were particularly disturbing because they came from a prominent religious figure whose words could influence a large section of the population.
He stressed that both political and religious leaders had a responsibility to protect national cohesion and promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
The NNPP chieftain also distanced the people of Kano from Jingir’s position, insisting that residents of the state did not support what he described as divisive rhetoric.
“Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” Kwankwaso said.
He added that leaders must be guided by the need to uphold truth, encourage unity and foster reconciliation, rather than contribute to statements capable of weakening the country’s sense of nationhood.
Turning to the 2027 elections, Kwankwaso said Nigerians would have the opportunity to evaluate the performance of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and decide whether it deserved another mandate.
He argued that the election would provide voters with an opportunity to reward effective governance and reject what they consider poor performance.
“The 2027 general elections will be an opportunity for Nigerians to reward good governance with resounding support and to reject poor performance at the polls. This administration has earned the latter,” he said.
