*Fani-Kayode Condemns Jingir’s ‘No Regrets’ Reaction
THE National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Abdurrahman Ahmad, has described the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as “a political winning formula, no more, no less.”
Ahmad also said Yahya Jingir was entitled to his opinion in supporting the formula, but that his view dies not represented the position of the entire Muslim community.
Jingir sparked controversy when he referred to Christian as ‘infidels’ while expressing his support for the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) President Bola Tinubu-Vice President Kashim Shettima Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in next year’s general elections.
Speaking at a forum in Abuja, Ahmad said what was important was to examine the fairness, representativeness, effectiveness and decency of those in government, rather than stressing their religion.
He stated: “There are states in Nigeria where you have a Christian-Christian ticket, and Muslims are there. Muslims never make so much noise about it. So, I think what is important is not for us to emphasise people’s religion.
“What is important is to interrogate the fairness, representativeness, effectiveness and decency of those who lay claim to this.
“For instance, even at the national level, where the Muslim-Muslim ticket is being operated, are Muslims well represented in appointments? Are federal appointments balanced? Are they fair? Are they lopsided in favour of Muslims?
“What advantage has the Muslim community gained from this Muslim-Muslim ticket? It is a political winning formula, no more, no less.”
Ahmad said politicians should not be allowed to turn the Muslim-Muslim ticket into a religious issue, adding that Muslims and Christians would continue to coexist in the country.
He noted: “The rights of individuals must not be dependent on their religious convictions, ethnic background or connections. They must be based on merit, fair representation, equity and justice.”
He noted that the Catholic bishops who recently visited the President were concerned about economic hardship, rather than the Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying everything must not be given a religious colouration.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned Jingir’s “no regrets” reaction to the backlash of his earlier remarks about Christians.
Insisting he would continue saying what he had said, Jingir, on August 12, reportedly said: “I won’t apologise, I have zero regrets about the things I said and I will still continue saying this anywhere.
“Anybody that doesn’t like it can say what they want, but I don’t care.”
In his reaction, Fani-Kayode said Jingir had “knuckled down” by insisting that he had “no regrets” over his comments, describing the development as unfortunate.
The former Aviation minister stated: “It really is unfortunate that a man that would ordinarily have attracted universal reverence due to his calling as a Man of God has degenerated to this level & brought so much opprobrium upon himself.”
Fani-Kayode said he had spoken with four northern Muslim governors present when Jingir made his first comment, saying they were all appalled with Jingir’s insults on Christianity.
He stressed that Christians deserved the same respect as Muslims, stating: “I am a Nigerian Christian and I deserve to be respected for who and what I am just, as every Nigerian Muslim deserves to be respected for who and what he is as well.”
