by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Ecumenical Youth Association (EYA) has fired back at Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, over what it described as a “reckless and provocative” declaration that “Nigeria is a Muslim country.”
EYA also warned Nigerian Christians that a vote for the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027 amounts to “a vote for the systemic Islamization of Nigeria.”
In a strongly-worded statement issued Friday, and made available Tuesday in Kaduna, EYA asserted that “Jingir’s sermon was “raw, unfiltered proof of the Muslim elite conspiracy designed to marginalize, minoritize and suffocate Christians in our own homeland.”
While quoting Jingir verbatim, “Show the infidels their limit,” EYA cited the cleric’s preaching to Muslims:
“HERE, I URGE YOU TO PREPARE YOUR VOTES. LET US SHOW THE WORLD THAT THE INFIDELS ARE LYING THAT THEY OUTNUMBER US. SHOW THE INFIDELS THEIR LIMIT. NIGERIA IS A MUSLIM COUNTRY AND IF YOU DON’T WANT TO ACCEPT A MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET, YOU SHOULD LEAVE NIGERIA BECAUSE IT BELONGS TO US. IF NOT BECAUSE OF THE MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET, THE CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA WILL THINK THEY ARE MORE THAN US. THIS IS WHY WE MUST MAKE SURE THE MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET CONTINUES TO SUCCEED SO THAT OUR DOMINANCE WILL REMAIN SUSTAINED.”
EYA described the outburst as “no mere slip of the tongue,” but rather evidence of “a deliberate, sinister plot to gradually alienate Christians through false demographic data, political strangulation, and systemic subjugation reminiscent of the historical trajectory of Turkey.”
“Unmasked agenda” – The group said the growing institutional backing for Jingir by various Islamic groups and clerics “is viewed by critics as a clear confirmation of an underlying agenda to Islamize Nigeria.”
It also referenced other provocative statements, including Yoruba cleric Shafiy Adeba’s assertion of a religious right “to enslave non-Muslims,” and defenses of controversial anti-Christian remarks by “JNI Plateau State media aide, Mallam Abdulsalam Ahmad and Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.”
“These escalating tensions and unmasked declarations have sparked alarming questions regarding whether such ideology drives ongoing violence against believers,” EYA stated.
“Observers argue that, because these divisive agendas can no longer be concealed, the Christian community must remain fully prepared and vigilant in the face of deepening sectarian polarization,” it stated.
On blame on “sell-out” Christian leaders, EYA stressed that it does not blame Jingir alone, but reserves “greatest anger” for what it called “insensitive, compromised, sell-out, and cowardly Christian political and religious leaders.”
“These are individuals, who bear the name of Christ, but refuse to defend their Christ who is the corner-stone of our Christian faith, having traded their birthright for a mess of pottage,” the statement read.
“The ballot as our shield” – EYA issued a direct call to church leaders and Christians nationwide ahead of 2027: “The only honorable and reasonable response to this insult is for church leaders to take a bold stand.
“They must explicitly and unconditionally call on and direct all Nigerian Christians not to vote for the APC Muslim-Muslim presidential and vice-presidential ticket, if for no other reason than as a direct, unyielding response to this dangerous assault on our faith.”
It went further that, “If you vote for the APC or President Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, then truly you have severed your ties, and you have no right to call yourself a Christian.”
EYA added that “Christians must prove Jingir and his co-conspirators wrong through our collective resolve and the unmatched power of the ballot.”
The association said it was speaking out “so that Doubting Thomases among us Christians can finally open their eyes to the reality on the ground.”