Islamic scholar Sheikh Musa Salihu Alburhan, a close associate of prominent cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has defended the Muslim-Muslim leadership of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, saying he considers Muslim political leadership more beneficial to Islam regardless of the economic situation.
Alburhan, who is part of the leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah in Jos, Plateau State, made the remarks in a sermon believed to have been directed at Sheikh Nurul Khalil, who had earlier criticised Jingir’s reference to Christians as “infidels.”
The cleric said his priority was religious interest rather than material comfort, insisting that he would prefer hardship under a Muslim leader to prosperity under a non-Muslim leader.
“For me, having a Muslim as leader while I eat grass is better than having an infidel as leader while I eat chicken every day,” Alburhan said.
He further argued that the presence of Muslims in positions of political authority could protect Islamic interests and prevent certain actions he believes could negatively affect the religion.
“It is written in one of the books, because an infidel will harm my religion. The fact that you are being governed under a Muslim-Muslim arrangement is beneficial. Ninety per cent of things are covered, while only 10 per cent are revealed, all for our good,” he said.
Alburhan maintained that many Muslims had yet to fully understand what he described as the religious advantages of the current administration.
“This is something your minds have not considered. People will say we are working for someone, but who is that person? We are not campaigning for Tinubu; we are campaigning for Islam,” he added.
The Islamic scholar also rejected the argument that the country’s economic difficulties should be blamed entirely on the government.
According to him, some people who complain about hardship are themselves guilty of actions prohibited by Islam, including disrespecting their parents and engaging in same-sex relationships.
“If you examine their lives, you will realise that some of them are better off through their work, if Allah judges them accordingly. Some mistreat their mothers and still complain about suffering, while others engage in acts prohibited by Islam,” he said.
The remarks come amid renewed debate over religious identity and political leadership in Nigeria, particularly the decision by Tinubu and Shettima to run on a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election.
While supporters of the arrangement argued that competence and political strategy should take precedence over religious balancing, critics raised concerns about inclusiveness and adequate representation of Nigeria’s diverse religious communities.
Alburhan’s comments are also likely to fuel further discussion about religious tolerance, particularly because of his description of non-Muslim leadership and his comparison between religious identity and material wellbeing.
There was no immediate public response from Sheikh Nurul Khalil or the Presidency to Alburhan’s remarks.
Jingir, who has previously advocated Muslim-Muslim political tickets, had also urged Muslims to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and support candidates who share the same faith.
He made the call while speaking at a campaign event organised for Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, tagged “Abba Go Again,” where the governor was also present.
Speaking in Hausa, Jingir praised President Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket and reiterated his support for the political arrangement.
“I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he said.
The cleric acknowledged that Christians and members of other faiths had expressed opposition to the idea but questioned whether advocating for a Muslim-Muslim ticket amounted to wrongdoing.
“I am aware that the infidels are embittered by this word. However, are there no Christians alike? Are there no Jews? Are there no traditionalists? Have I done anything wrong by merely campaigning for a Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he said.
“Have I stopped the Christians from their own slogans? Have I stopped traditionalists from a similar campaign?”
Jingir went on to reaffirm his position, declaring: “But as a Muslim, I repeat it, Muslim-Muslim! No going back on this.”
He also dismissed arguments that Nigeria’s democratic system requires consideration for citizens of different religious backgrounds.
“Some would say ‘it’s a democracy and there are people who are not Muslims,’ are you their spokesperson?” he asked.
“But we pray and observe fasting, and it’s said that the majority carries the votes,” he added.
The cleric subsequently encouraged his followers to prepare for future elections by obtaining their voter cards.
“I urge all of us here to go and get our voters’ cards ready. Let’s show the infidels their limit, who claim they are more populous than us in Nigeria. They are lying!” he said.
Jingir also linked his political stance to the electoral performance of opponents of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, claiming that his advocacy contributed to their defeat.
“If it wasn’t for my stance on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, somebody would have claimed they are more populous than us. But by the grace of Allah, we defeated them so ignominiously that they did not even make it to the second place in the polls, did they? They came third after all.”
He concluded by openly declaring his support for Muslim-Muslim candidates and asking his audience to adopt the same position.
“Therefore, my vote is for a Muslim-Muslim candidate! What about you, the Muslim umma?”
The comments have since generated criticism from Nigerians and various groups, with opponents describing the language used by the cleric as divisive and potentially harmful to religious harmony in the country.
