Four northern governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have come under criticism over their alleged reaction to controversial remarks by Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahya Jingir, who described Christians as infidels and claimed that Nigeria belongs to Muslims.
The controversy followed comments made by Jingir on Saturday during a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples whose marriages were sponsored by the government.
Jingir Defends Muslim-Muslim Ticket
Speaking at the event, Jingir said he had no regrets supporting the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, arguing that the decision reflected the numerical strength of Muslims in Nigeria.
He also suggested that Muslims were taking over the country.
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A video of the event circulating on social media showed Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda among those present at the ceremony.
Some of the governors appeared to cheer and applaud as Jingir made the remarks, prompting criticism from Nigerians.
Fani-Kayode Condemns Governors’ Alleged Reaction
Former Minister of Aviation and Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, expressed disappointment over the incident, saying the alleged reaction of the Kano State governor was more troubling to him than Jingir’s comments.
“There is only one thing worse and that saddened me more than what he said and that is to have seen my friend and brother the Governor of Kano state, cheering him on and celebrating it.
“We will not keep quiet and watch our faith being dragged all over the floor because of politics,” Fani-Kayode said in a statement on Tuesday.
El-Buba Questions Governors’ Conduct
Plateau-based cleric Prophet Isa El-Buba also condemned the governors’ alleged reaction, questioning their response to the remarks and the security situation in northern Nigeria.
“I saw the governors cheering him. This is how insane all of you are in Northern Nigeria. Are you not ashamed of the banditry and other criminalities in the North?
“We have the highest level of poverty and drug addicts in the North, are you not ashamed of it?” El-Buba said in a video circulating online.
Influencer Accuses Governors of Supporting Remarks
Social media influencer Dan Masani also described the incident as a tragedy, focusing on the alleged reaction of the governors rather than Jingir’s remarks.
“The Sheikh preaching hate is not my concern, the tragedy with this video is that three state APC governors; Kano, Katsina and Jigawa were all cheering and in agreement with the Sheikh,” he wrote on X.
He further alleged that “the insecurity in Nigeria and the North in particular is state sponsored.”
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.