The political temperature in Kano is rising, and former Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso is pushing back hard against a prominent cleric’s inflammatory words. In a pointed Facebook post on Monday, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice presidential candidate took aim at Sheikh Sani Jingir, whose recent comments labeling Christians as ‘infidels’ and championing a Muslim-Muslim ticket have sparked fresh outrage.
Kwankwaso, a seasoned political heavyweight, did not mince words. He described the cleric’s rhetoric as deeply troubling, especially coming from a figure of Jingir’s influence. At a time when the nation is grappling with economic hardship and security woes, the former governor argued that such speech only deepens the cracks in an already fragile national fabric.
“The good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” Kwankwaso wrote, making it clear that the cleric’s views do not represent the state’s sentiments. He urged political and religious leaders alike to embrace their duty to foster unity and reconciliation, rather than fan the flames of discord.
The controversy stems from a viral video in which Jingir warned that anyone rejecting a Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave Nigeria, asserting that the country belongs to Muslims. The comments have ignited a firestorm, drawing rebukes from across the religious and political spectrum.
Kwankwaso, however, turned the spotlight toward the future. He framed the 2027 general elections as a referendum on leadership, predicting that Nigerians would reward good governance and punish failure at the ballot box. His message was blunt: this administration has earned the latter.
Ending his post with a nod to national unity, Kwankwaso’s words serve as a stark reminder that the battle for Nigeria’s soul will be fought not just at the polls, but in the hearts and minds of its people.
