The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has fired back at Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over his claim that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were elected solely by Muslims in the 2023 general elections.

According to Jingir, the success of the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the last election was a testament to the numerical strength of Muslims in Nigeria and their growing popularity.

But Rev. Joseph Hayab, chairman of the NCA, disagrees. Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Hayab explained that the election results were more complex than Jingir's simplistic analysis.

‘The man won in those states,' Hayab said, pointing out that many Christian-majority states also voted for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. ‘I can count states that are mostly Christian. The man won in those states.'

Hayab's reaction was triggered by Jingir's viral video, in which he urged Muslims to unite and use their numerical strength to pursue their political interests. Jingir described Christians as “infidels” in the video.

Jingir's comments were widely condemned, with many Nigerians calling for him to be held accountable. But Hayab took it further, pointing out that Jingir's language is not only unacceptable but also a reflection of deeper problems in Nigeria's political culture.

‘If you respect me, you do not come out publicly and make such a derogatory statement against me, against my faith, just for politics,' Hayab said. ‘It is no longer politics. It is the reality that has been going on on the ground.'

Hayab's comments highlight the tensions between different religious groups in Nigeria, which have been simmering for years. In the past, some Nigerians have accused the government of favoring one group over the other.

The NCA chairman also criticized the politicians who failed to immediately rebuke Jingir for his comments. ‘The man said it in the presence of three governors, and they were all smiling,' Hayab said. ‘An action that would have been frowned upon, an action that would have been rebuked, an action that would have been rejected instantly.'

Hayab challenged the governors and the federal government to publicly state their positions on Jingir's comments. ‘We are waiting to see the reaction of those governors,' he said. ‘Then, we will see the reaction of the Federal Government. We will see the reaction of those candidates whom the man is campaigning for.'

In the end, Hayab's message is one of caution: while Nigerians are capable of great things, they must also acknowledge their differences and work towards a more inclusive society.

‘We will not stop the dialogue,' Hayab said. ‘We will talk with honest people and clerics. We will talk with people who understand things rightly.'

Jingir has yet to respond to Hayab's comments.