• Why I support Muslim-Muslim ticket, by Jingir
• IPCR urges Nigerians to reject hate speech, embrace dialogue

Founder of Kaduna Centre for the Study of Christian-Muslim Relations, Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, has urged Nigerians to look beyond religious identity when choosing political leaders in the 2027 general elections, arguing that what the country needs is a faithful President.

However, Islamic scholar, Sani Jingir, has clarified his recent comments on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying his position was driven by the need to promote good governance and development.

As Muslims across the country celebrate this year’s Eid ul Mawlid, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has urged Nigerians to reject hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric and violence, calling instead for dialogue, tolerance and mutual understanding.

Idowu-Fearon, who was Chairman of the Kaduna State Peace Commission, spoke yesterday in Kaduna while responding to questions on the economy, religious leadership, politics, insecurity and the 2027 elections.

He said Nigeria needed a President who genuinely practises the values of his or her faith, rather than one chosen solely based on religious identity.

“Honestly, this country does not need a Muslim or a Christian President; what we need is a President who is Christian or Muslim. There is a difference,” he said.

According to him, the same principle should apply to governors, senators, ministers and other public office holders, arguing that neither Christianity nor Islam encouraged corruption, dishonesty, tribalism or exploitation.

He called on Nigerians to assess political office aspirants based on their character, performance, integrity and commitment to the common good rather than their religious identity.

JINGIR, at the Northern Muslims Intellectuals Forum in Jigawa State, addressed the controversy trailinghis recent remarks in Kano, adding that his support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket had generated opposition, prompting him to clarify his position to the public.

“When I went to Kano, I said Muslim-Muslim, but it turned out that some people did not like it. I said we still have work to do, so I will call the scholars to come and intensify our preaching,” Jingir said.

The cleric stressed that his position was not intended to promote insults, false accusations or broken promises, but to encourage constructive political and religious engagement.

“Let us not insult one another; let us not fabricate stories or break promises,” he said.

Jingir said his support for President Bola Tinubu was based on the Muslim-Muslim ticket and developments recorded under his administration, especially the treatment of Muslims.

“There was a time in a previous government when, here in Jos, from Jos to Bukuru, at the mosque where I used to preach in Yan Taya, people were searched, even checking whether they had a bomb on them,” Jingir said, arguing that the situation changed under the present administration.

IPCRsaid the commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad “provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on his teachings and exemplary life,” particularly his emphasis on compassion, justice, forgiveness, peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity.

In a statement yesterday, the Director-General of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, urged Nigerians of all faiths to use the occasion to strengthen national unity and promote peaceful relationships within families, communities and the wider society.

According to the institute, Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and political diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than a basis for division, stressing that differences in identity must not become triggers for violence.

Specifically calling on religious leaders to use their platforms to promote peace, tolerance and responsible citizenship, particularly against the backdrop of the social, economic and security challenges confronting communities across the country, IPCR also charged political, traditional and community leaders to demonstrate responsible leadership by discouraging inflammatory statements, hate speech and other actions capable of deepening divisions or escalating tensions among citizens.