Islamic cleric and Chairman of the Council of Ulama of Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has declared that he has no regrets over his recent comments backing a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, despite the public criticism that trailed the statement.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, Jingir maintained that his position was informed by his duty as a Muslim leader and not driven by partisan politics.

His earlier declaration had sparked widespread criticism, with much of the backlash centred on the tone and choice of words used in expressing his stance, rather than on the principle of a Muslim-Muslim ticket itself.

Despite the uproar, the cleric insisted he remains unmoved and will continue to advocate for Muslims to support and vote for such an arrangement.

“I will continue to support and encourage the Muslim-Muslim ticket. What they say would not stop me. They started it; at a point, we suffered in their hands,” he said.

The cleric made the remarks during a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, where he declared his support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket and urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their numerical strength.

Jingir said his decision to support the arrangement followed President Bola Tinubu’s emergence with a Muslim running mate.

He also maintained that, as a Muslim preacher, he had the right to advocate a political arrangement consistent with his religious convictions.

The cleric further challenged claims that Christians or other religious groups constitute a larger population than Muslims in Nigeria.

His comments have continued to generate debate, with critics taking issue with the manner and language of his declaration, while others have defended his right to express his religious and political position.

Jingir, however, said the criticism would not stop him from continuing to support and encourage Muslims to back a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.