The National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, has warned that Nigeria’s unity could face greater pressure if religious extremism and domination continue to influence political discourse.
Igboayaka made the statement in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday, August 12, while reacting to comments attributed to Sheikh Muhammad Jingir in support of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Jingir, Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, recently defended his position on the Muslim-Muslim ticket while speaking at a special wedding reception organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples whose weddings were sponsored by the state.
During the event, the cleric called for the continued adoption of a Muslim-Muslim political arrangement and urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their numerical strength.
Reacting to the controversy, Igboayaka said the reported assertion that Nigeria is a Muslim country raises serious questions about the country’s religious and ethnic diversity.
He argued that Nigeria is a multi-national and multi-religious state and should not be portrayed as belonging exclusively to one faith.
According to him, while different groups and regions are entitled to pursue their political aspirations, narratives suggesting religious ownership of the country could deepen mistrust and further weaken national cohesion.
Igboayaka said the controversy over the Muslim-Muslim ticket should therefore be considered within the wider questions of religious freedom, national unity and the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
He further argued that Jingir’s reported comments had strengthened the argument of groups seeking a referendum on Nigeria’s political future, particularly pro-Biafra organisations.
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The Ohanaeze youth leader urged groups advocating self-determination to pursue their demands through peaceful and democratic means rather than violence.
He said, “Sheikh Yahaya Jingir’s statement has provided credence and credibility to the call for the restoration of the Republican State of Biafra through a referendum.”
Igboayaka said a referendum, if conducted under appropriate constitutional and democratic safeguards, could give citizens an opportunity to express their preferences on the country’s political future.
He also criticised what he described as the Federal Government’s silence over the statement attributed to Jingir, arguing that the government’s response to sensitive religious rhetoric was important to maintaining public confidence.
According to him, failing to address statements capable of aggravating religious tensions could fuel suspicion and deepen existing divisions.
“The Federal Government’s silence means consent,” Igboayaka alleged.
He called on Nigerians who disagreed with the assertion that Nigeria is a Muslim country to support peaceful advocacy for a referendum.
Igboayaka maintained that such a process could provide a democratic avenue for addressing longstanding grievances and reducing the risk of further religious and ethnic tensions.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Muhammad Jingir has dismissed criticism of his advocacy for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, saying he has no regrets about his position.