Rev Hayab Says Jingir Remarks Expose Northern Christian Discrimination

The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has said recent comments by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, have brought longstanding concerns among Christians in Northern Nigeria into the open.

The controversy followed remarks by Jingir at a gathering in Kano, where he defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. He argued that Muslims should not apologise for supporting candidates who share their faith.

Jingir spoke at an event organised by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, which also had Kano Governor Abba Yusuf and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi in attendance. He reportedly urged Muslims to unite and use their numerical strength to pursue their political interests.

The cleric also made remarks about Christians that drew criticism, including referring to them as “infidels”. His comments have since triggered renewed debate over religious relations and political representation ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Hayab said the comments reflected concerns that Christians in the North had raised for many years. He linked those concerns to allegations of religious discrimination, marginalisation and dominance.

Hayab said he was particularly concerned that the remarks were made in the presence of political leaders who, according to him, did not immediately condemn them. He argued that the reaction had raised fresh questions about Nigeria’s claims of religious unity.

He said the controversy had exposed what he described as a long-standing reality for northern Christians. Hayab maintained that Jingir’s remarks had provided an opportunity for issues that were previously discussed privately to receive wider public attention.

“There is always a day when you will no longer pretend. We have been living in pretense in Nigeria, lying to ourselves that we are together, lying to each other that there is unity and lying to each other that we are co-citizens,” Hayab said.

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He added that Christians in Northern Nigeria had encountered similar sentiments from some religious preachers over the years. According to him, Jingir’s comments brought those concerns into public discussion.

Hayab stressed that the disagreement was not about Muslims supporting Muslim candidates. He said the central issue was the language used when discussing fellow Nigerians based on their religion.

He also argued that the 2023 presidential election showed that the Muslim-Muslim ticket did not receive support from Muslims alone. Hayab noted that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima also received votes from Christian-majority states and communities.

He therefore maintained that political leadership should not be framed as the exclusive preserve of any religious group. His comments come as political parties and religious leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general

elections.

source: Daily Post News