Lawyer and political activist Deji Adeyanju has criticised recent remarks attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahya Jingir, describing the rhetoric as divisive and warning that religious tension could further threaten Nigeria’s unity.

Jingir, on Sunday, at an event attended by some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, including Abba Yusuf of Kano State and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, stated that Muslims should continue supporting the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima because it demonstrates that they are more numerous than Christians in Nigeria. He was also reported to have urged Muslims to “show infidels their limit.”

In a statement on Monday, Adeyanju said Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity requires leaders, particularly influential religious figures, to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence rather than deepen divisions between Christians and Muslims.

“Nigeria is a plural society, and our Constitution recognises and protects that plurality,” Adeyanju said.

He urged religious leaders to recognise the country’s diversity and use their influence to promote peace, unity and respect for different faiths.

Adeyanju also argued that Nigerians should assess political leadership based on its impact on citizens’ lives rather than religious identity.

“Has the Muslim-Muslim ticket put food on the tables of Nigerians, solved insecurity, unemployment, inflation, or strengthened the Nigerian passport and Nigeria’s standing in the world?” he asked.

He said the country’s political discourse should focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and the country’s international standing.

According to Adeyanju, rhetoric that pits one religious group against another risks aggravating existing divisions and encouraging further social tension.

“We must look beyond religion and judge leadership by its impact on our lives as Nigerians,” he said.

He called on religious leaders and politicians to refrain from rhetoric that could provoke citizens and urged Nigerians to respect the country’s religious, cultural and ethnic diversity.

“Clerics and politicians must stop provoking law-abiding citizens and learn to respect our different religions, cultures and ethnicities. Nigeria belongs to all of us,” Adeyanju said.