…Says, “Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians.”
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A coalition of Hausa Muslims has strongly rejected alleged remarks by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, suggesting that Nigeria belongs exclusively to Muslims, warning that such rhetoric promotes religious intolerance and threatens national unity.
In a public disclaimer, dated 10th August 2026, the ‘Hausawa Tsantsa Movement,’ “Mesa Ta Tashi” dissociated itself from the statements attributed to Jingir, describing them as “a deeply divisive interpretation of religion and citizenship” that contradicts both Islamic teachings and the Nigerian Constitution. No numerical majority has authority to intimidate another faith,” the movement declared.
The group, in a statement signed by Hajiya Kaltume Alumbe Jitami, and made available Thursday in Kaduna, explained that: “If these statements were accurately reported or made, they represent a deeply divisive interpretation of religion and citizenship that we categorically reject.
“Nigeria belongs equally to all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, region or political affiliation, and no numerical majority has the moral, religious or constitutional authority to intimidate, marginalize or threaten another faith community.”
The group was responding to reports in which Sheikh Jingir was quoted as saying Nigeria is a “Muslim country” and that Christians should accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket or “leave Nigeria because it belongs to us.”
Citing Qur’an, the group stated that Islam rejects coercion, citing multiple Qur’anic verses to argue that Islam does not support persecution of Christians or religious domination in politics.
“Islam does not teach Muslims to disrespect, persecute or deny Christians their dignity and fundamental rights. The Holy Qur’an expressly declares: ‘There shall be no compulsion in religion’ (Qur’an 2:256), thereby establishing the principle that faith cannot be imposed through coercion, intimidation or oppression,” the statement read.
It added: “The Qur’an also commands Muslims to deal with people of other faiths with justice and kindness, stating that Allah does not forbid Muslims from being kind and just to those who do not fight them because of religion (Qur’an 60:8). These principles leave no room for religious persecution or the denial of another person’s citizenship rights because of his or her beliefs.”
The group further quoted Qur’an 109:6 –“For you is your religion, and for me is my religion,” saying it “reinforces religious coexistence and mutual respect.”
“Therefore, any attempt to present hostility towards Christians as an Islamic obligation is inconsistent with the clear teachings of the Qur’an,” the statement said.
On the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, the group said political leadership “must be determined by constitutional principles, competence, public trust, electoral choice and the equal rights of citizens, not by religious coercion or the claim that one faith must permanently dominate another.”
“Any political arrangement involving candidates of the same faith remains a matter of political choice and must never be used to justify the exclusion, intimidation or marginalisation of Christians or other Nigerians,” it stated.
While calling on Jingir to clarify or withdraw remarks, the group said religious and political leaders “have a serious responsibility to use language that promotes national cohesion rather than language capable of inflaming religious tension.”
“We make it clear that Hausa Muslims, who believe in justice, peaceful coexistence and the authentic teachings of Islam, are not represented by any statement that promotes hostility or discrimination against Christians. We reject religious supremacy, threats and all forms of sectarian intimidation,” it declared.
“We urge Mallam Yahaya Jingir, if the alleged statements are correctly attributed to him, to clarify or withdraw any remarks that could reasonably be understood as threatening or diminishing the rights of Nigerian Christians.”
Quoting Qur’an 4:135: “O you, who believe, stand firmly for justice, as witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves, parents or relatives,” the group reaffirmed: “Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, and no religion should be used as an instrument for intimidation, discrimination or the denial of any citizen’s dignity and constitutional rights.”