Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, has questioned why security agencies have not summoned Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over his advocacy for Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 election.
Enenche spoke during his sermon on Sunday, August 16, 2026, warning that inflammatory religious rhetoric could heighten tensions and provoke violence.
He rejected any suggestion that Christianity is subordinate to another faith, insisting that Christians constitute a significant part of Nigeria’s population.
“Christianity is not secondary,” Enenche said, urging political and religious actors not to take the Christian community for granted.
He said security agencies should scrutinize statements capable of inciting violence and determine whether Jingir’s remarks warranted investigation.
The controversy followed comments by Jingir, chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, at a Kano State Government-sponsored mass wedding for 1,500 couples on August 8.
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Jingir urged Muslims to turn their numerical strength into electoral influence and support the continuation of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets. He later defended the position in a BBC interview, saying he had no regrets and had held the view before President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
The remarks drew criticism from several figures, including former Aviation Minister and Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode.
The dispute has revived debate over religion and political representation ahead of the 2027 election. The Muslim-Muslim ticket became a major issue in 2023 when the All Progressives Congress fielded Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, both Muslims, as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
While supporters argued that competence should outweigh religious considerations, opponents said the arrangement did not reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity. The same-faith pairing remains in place as Tinubu seeks another term.
Enenche’s intervention came three days after more than 50 Muslim and Christian leaders signed an interfaith peace accord in Abuja on August 13, pledging to promote religious harmony and discourage extremism and hate speech.
The latest exchange underscores the sensitivity of religious rhetoric as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.