The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its silence over inflammatory comments made by Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, warning that Christianity would be “in trouble” in Nigeria if the remarks go unchecked.
Speaking in a video posted on social media, Primate Ayodele warned that Nigerian Christians could face difficulties if such statements were not cautioned by the authorities. “If the government does not caution this, then Christianity is in trouble in Nigeria. This senseless old fool, Islamic cleric Jingir, should be in jail by now,” Ayodele said, adding, “If a Christian had made such a statement, they would have picked him up immediately.”
Reacting to the development in a video posted by social media personality Tunde Ednut, Ayodele alleged that the government would have responded more swiftly had similar comments been made by a Christian religious leader. He urged the Tinubu administration to caution Jingir and other religious leaders against making statements capable of inflaming religious tensions, warning that failure to act could further undermine peaceful coexistence and national unity.
The controversy stems from remarks Jingir made during a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, where he said he had no regrets over the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, arguing that the decision reflected the numerical strength of Muslims in Nigeria and suggesting that Muslims were “taking over” the country.
In a separate appearance in Kano at an event organised by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, attended by Kano Governor Abba Yusuf and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi, Jingir defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that Muslims should not apologise for supporting candidates who share their faith, and urged Muslims to use their numerical strength to pursue their political interests. He was also reported to have referred to Christians as “infidels” in a video that circulated widely.
A viral video of the Kano event showed the governors of Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara and Katsina states present while Jingir made the remarks, drawing criticism toward the officials for their alleged reaction to his comments.
Ayodele is not alone in condemning the remarks. Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, rejected Jingir’s characterisation of Nigeria as a Muslim country, while cautioning the cleric against statements that could deepen religious divisions.
Prophet Isa El-Buba, General Overseer of El-Buba Outreach Ministries, also criticised Jingir, accusing him of making statements capable of provoking Christians and calling on Muslims who disagreed with the remarks to speak out against divisive rhetoric. El-Buba maintained that Nigeria “belongs to everyone,” regardless of religious affiliation.
Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, said the comments had brought long-standing concerns among Christians in Northern Nigeria into the open, linking them to broader allegations of religious discrimination.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has separately called for Jingir’s arrest and prosecution over the remarks, which it characterised as hate speech.
The controversy has intensified debate over religious representation and political alignment ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. As of this report, there has been no public response from President Tinubu’s administration or from Sheikh Jingir directly addressing the calls for government action.
