Sheikh Jingir's Muslim-Muslim talk is reckless, and Rev. Dachomo is right to push back

Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir stood in Kano over the weekend and declared Nigeria a Muslim country, called Christians infidels, and suggested we should leave if we don't like the Muslim-Muslim arrangement. Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo of COCIN in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, has now responded, and his words are exactly what we need to hear.

Dachomo said, and I quote, "Nigeria is a multi-religious country in which Muslims and Christians have historically participated in the political process and contributed to the development of the nation." He also warned that linking political leadership to religious majority "could create a perception that one faith has greater ownership of the country than another." That is not just diplomatic talk, that is the truth.

I grew up in Abeokuta, where my neighbours were Muslim and Christian, and we shared everything from Sallah meat to Christmas rice. No one asked your religion before they helped you. So when a cleric with this much influence starts talking about infidels and telling people to leave, it is not just careless, it is dangerous. We have seen what religious division does in this country, from Kaduna to Jos. How many more churches and mosques must burn before we stop this nonsense?

I am not saying Sheikh Jingir should not have an opinion. But when a religious leader uses his pulpit to sow division for political gain, he is not serving God, he is serving an agenda. And the rest of us, Muslim and Christian alike, are the ones who will pay for it. Be honest, are we really going to let 2027 turn us against each other again?