Gumi Urges Politicians to Keep Religion Out of Partisan Politics

Islamic cleric, Dr Ahmad Gumi, has called on political and religious leaders to stop using religion as a tool in partisan politics, warning that such practices could deepen divisions in Nigeria.

Gumi made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday while reacting to comments attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS).

Jingir had reportedly defended the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket at a mass wedding ceremony in Kano on Saturday. He urged Muslims to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing the President’s decision to choose a Muslim running mate.

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

Gumi said Jingir’s position should be understood within the context of what he described as religious tensions facing Muslims in some parts of the country.

He, however, maintained that the use of religion for political mobilisation was not limited to one side of the political divide.

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

He urged political actors to respect Nigeria’s religious diversity and avoid turning religious issues into political battles.

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

Plateau JNI Disowns Support for Jingir

Meanwhile, the Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has distanced itself from reports suggesting that it supported Jingir’s position on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

JNI Plateau Publicity Secretary, Gambo Hamza, described the report as false and misleading, stressing that the organisation had neither endorsed nor authorised any statement supporting Jingir’s political position.

He said Jingir was entitled to his personal views, but such views should not be presented as the official position of JNI Plateau.

According to Hamza, the organisation remains committed to promoting peace, unity, religious understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse communities.

JNI Plateau also called on security agencies to investigate the alleged false representation and take appropriate legal action against those responsible.

Kwankwaso Condemns Divisive Remarks

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

Kwankwaso said statements capable of creating division should be discouraged, particularly when they come from influential religious leaders.

He stressed that the people of Kano should not be portrayed as supporting divisive political or religious rhetoric.

Kwankwaso urged political and religious leaders to promote truth, unity, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence across the country.