ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has rejected the call by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, for the continued adoption of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso described Jingir’s position as divisive and urged political and religious leaders to promote unity and reconciliation in the country.
The former governor stated this in a post on his official X account on Monday while reacting to comments made by Jingir at an event in Kano during the weekend.
Jingir had advocated the continued use of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 election, praising President Bola Tinubu for adopting the arrangement during the 2023 presidential election.
Vanguard reports that the cleric made the remarks at an event attended by some All Progressives Congress governors, including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and his Jigawa State counterpart, Umar Namadi.
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Reacting, Kwankwaso said statements capable of deepening religious and political divisions should be discouraged, particularly from influential religious leaders.
“I am deeply concerned by the comments made by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir at an event in Kano this weekend. At this critical moment in our nation’s history, statements that promote division and disunity must be firmly discouraged,” Kwankwaso said.
He said religious and political leaders had a responsibility to uphold unity and promote reconciliation among Nigerians.
“It is particularly troubling to hear such rhetoric from a religious leader of Sheikh Jingir’s stature and influence,” the former governor added.
Kwankwaso also claimed that the people of Kano did not support Jingir’s position.
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“Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks. Political and religious leaders alike carry a solemn responsibility to uphold truth, foster unity, and advance reconciliation,” he said.
The NNPP chieftain further said the 2027 general elections would give Nigerians an opportunity to assess the performance of the Tinubu administration through the ballot box.
According to him, voters would have the opportunity to either reward good governance or reject poor performance during the election.
“The 2027 general elections will be an opportunity for Nigerians to reward good governance with resounding support and to reject poor performance at the polls. This administration has earned the latter,” Kwankwaso said.
His comments came amid renewed debate over the suitability of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.