ABUJA — Activist and public commentator Deji Adeyanju has strongly condemned recent statements credited to controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahya Jingir, describing his rhetoric as divisive and a direct threat to Nigeria’s corporate existence.
In a statement released to the press, Adeyanju warned that the cleric’s utterances against Christians are capable of fueling dangerous religious tensions across the country.
He reminded religious leaders that Nigeria remains a plural society, a status expressly recognized and protected by the 1999 Constitution.
“Religious leaders should respect Nigeria’s plurality and use their influence to promote peace and unity rather than sowing discord between Christians and Muslims,” Adeyanju stated.
Challenging the prioritization of religious identity in governance, the activist pointed to the country’s current economic and security crises. He questioned the tangible benefits of the ruling party’s contentious Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, urging citizens to evaluate leadership based on performance rather than faith.
“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?” Adeyanju queried.
“We must look beyond religion and judge leadership by its impact on our lives as Nigerians. Any rhetoric that pits one faith against another is one that only deepens our divisions and fuels agitations across the country. 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.”
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