The Youth Wing of the TEKAN/ECWA Fellowship has condemned remarks attributed to Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, describing them as divisive and capable of worsening religious tensions in Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists in Jalingo, the National TEKAN/ECWA Youth President, Bako Adashu Elijah, said Nigeria was a pluralistic nation that belonged to all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations.
Elijah expressed concern over the reaction of some public figures who were present at the event where the remarks were allegedly made, claiming that some appeared to applaud the cleric rather than condemn the statements.
“We are deeply shocked, disappointed and outraged by the reckless, divisive and utterly unacceptable statement made by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir.
“This is not responsible religious leadership; it is dangerous religious bigotry capable of inflaming an already fragile national environment,” he said.
The youth leader also criticised what he described as the apparent applause that accompanied the remarks, particularly in the presence of prominent public officials.
“When public office holders sit comfortably in the presence of religious bigotry without condemning it, Nigerians are justified in asking whether some people in authority are fueling religious intolerance,” Elijah added.
He recalled the 2023 general elections, noting that millions of Nigerian Christians supported the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, in the hope that the administration would promote national development.
Elijah stressed that no religious group had exclusive ownership of Nigeria.
“Our message is simple: Nigeria does not belong to Muslims alone, and Nigeria does not belong to Christians alone. Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians,” he said.
He further maintained that every Nigerian had a constitutional right to practise their faith, support any political party and participate fully in the affairs of the country.
“Religious freedom, however, must never become a licence to insult, demonise or politically mobilise Nigerians against one another on the basis of faith,” he said.
Elijah also criticised what he described as the silence of the Federal Government and security agencies over the alleged remarks, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could escalate religious tensions if left unchecked.
He called on Sheikh Jingir to publicly retract the statement and apologise, while urging the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident.
The youth leader warned that failure by the relevant authorities to act would compel the group to pursue what he described as constitutional, democratic and legitimate civic measures to demand accountability and oppose the use of religion as a political weapon.
The TEKAN/ECWA Youth Wing reaffirmed its commitment to religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and national unity, regardless of Nigerians’ faith or political affiliation.
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