Political strategist Baba Yusuf has questioned how President Bola Tinubu’s Christian wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and his son, Seyi Tinubu, would react to controversial comments reportedly made by Islamic cleric Sheikh Jingir about Christians and the proposed Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Yusuf raised the issue while speaking on Arise News, where he criticised Jingir’s remarks and described them as religiously divisive and unacceptable in a multi-faith country like Nigeria.
Sheikh Jingir had reportedly spoken at a political gathering attended by several governors and other prominent figures, where he argued in favour of a Muslim-Muslim ticket and allegedly described Nigeria as a country belonging to Muslims. He was also reported to have referred to Christians as “infidels” and suggested that those opposed to a Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave the country.
Reacting to the comments, Yusuf, who identified himself as a Muslim, strongly rejected religious extremism and said Jingir’s position should not be interpreted as representing the views of the wider Muslim community.
According to Yusuf, the cleric’s remarks were driven by personal and political interests and amounted to religious bigotry.
He argued that someone with Jingir’s age, experience and position as a religious leader should understand the potential consequences of inflammatory statements, particularly in a religiously diverse nation such as Nigeria.
Yusuf also expressed concern over the apparent reaction of political leaders who were present when the comments were made.
He said the expressions and demeanour of some governors, politicians and community leaders appeared to show disapproval, but criticised the absence of a strong public response from political leaders afterwards.
The political strategist said the continued silence was troubling because Nigerians from different religious backgrounds deserved reassurance that inflammatory comments would not be allowed to deepen existing divisions.
Yusuf particularly questioned how the comments could be reconciled with the President’s own family, noting that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu is a Christian and that Seyi Tinubu is also a Christian.
He argued that President Tinubu, as the leader of a religiously diverse country and government, should be able to address concerns arising from remarks that appear to portray one faith as superior to another.
Yusuf maintained that Nigeria could only achieve unity if political and religious leaders moved beyond religious divisions and rejected rhetoric capable of creating hostility between Christians and Muslims.
He called for a clear response from political leaders, stressing that silence in the face of inflammatory religious statements could further worsen public distrust and deepen existing divisions.
