Gumi Warns Jingir: Keep Religion Out of Nigeria’s Political Battles

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged religious leaders and politicians to stop using religion as a tool in partisan politics, warning that such rhetoric could deepen divisions in Nigeria.

Gumi made the call while reacting to comments attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), over the 2027 political contest.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday, Gumi said religion should not be dragged into political battles in a country as religiously diverse as Nigeria.

Jingir had reportedly spoken in support of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket at a mass wedding ceremony in Kano on Saturday. He reportedly urged Muslims to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because the President chose a running mate who shares his Islamic faith.

The comments have attracted criticism from some Christian leaders, civil society organisations and activists, who described the position as potentially divisive.

Gumi defends Jingir but rejects religious politics

While disagreeing with the use of religion in partisan politics, Gumi appeared to defend Jingir’s position, saying the cleric operates in an environment where he believes Islam faces significant prejudice.

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

He also referenced a recent controversy involving a Muslim vice-chancellor in Plateau State, arguing that religious tensions affect different sides of Nigeria’s political and social landscape.

However, Gumi stressed that the use of religion for political mobilisation was not exclusive to the ruling party.

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

He therefore urged political actors across party lines to avoid turning religious identity into a weapon during political contests.

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

Plateau JNI distances itself from Jingir’s position

Meanwhile, the Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has rejected reports suggesting that it endorsed Jingir’s comments on the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The clarification followed a report attributed to the organisation’s media aide, Abdulsalam Ahamed, claiming that JNI Plateau supported Jingir’s position.

JNI Plateau Publicity Secretary, Gambo Hamza, described the report as false and misleading.

“The Plateau State Chapter of JNI wishes to state categorically that the said publication and the statement attributed to the organisation are fake, unfounded and do not represent the position of JNI Plateau State,” Hamza said.

He acknowledged that Jingir was entitled to his personal views but stressed that those views should not be presented as the official position of JNI.

According to Hamza, the organisation remains committed to promoting peace, unity, religious understanding and peaceful coexistence.

He said JNI Plateau neither endorsed nor authorised any statement supporting Jingir “100 per cent” on the Muslim-Muslim ticket or any other partisan political position.

The group also called on security agencies to investigate the alleged misrepresentation and prosecute those responsible if they are found to have violated the law.

Kwankwaso weighs in

Former Kano State governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, also criticised the comments attributed to Jingir.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, Kwankwaso warned against statements that could deepen divisions, particularly when they come from influential religious figures.

“Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” he said.

Kwankwaso called on political and religious leaders to promote truth, unity and reconciliation rather than rhetoric capable of worsening Nigeria’s existing religious and political tensions.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the reactions highlight the growing sensitivity surrounding religion, political identity and the role of influential religious leaders in Nigeria’s electoral politics.