‘He Belongs in Prison or Asylum’ — Enenche Fires Back At Islamic Cleric Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, has criticised Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over his recent comments supporting the continuation of Nigeria’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

In a video circulating on social media, Enenche described Jingir’s remarks as provocative and unacceptable, urging the Federal Government to intervene and call the cleric to order.

“Such people belong either in prison or a psychiatric hospital,” Enenche said.

Jingir, however, has refused to apologise or withdraw his position. Speaking with BBC Hausa, the Islamic cleric said he had no regrets over his remarks and would continue advocating for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

His comments followed a recent mass wedding ceremony in Kano, where he urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their numerical strength.

Jingir maintained that his position was based on his responsibility as a Muslim and was not intended as a campaign for President Bola Tinubu.

The controversy has attracted condemnation from several quarters, including former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, who called on President Tinubu and the Sultan of Sokoto to caution the cleric.

Enenche also challenged claims about the religious composition of Nigeria, calling for a credible national census that would enable citizens to declare their religious affiliations.

He warned that Christians and the church should not be taken for granted, insisting that the Christian community remained an important part of Nigeria’s political and social landscape.

The pastor further criticised what he described as continued bloodshed and destruction across the country, questioning the contribution of those making divisive statements to national development.

The controversy has raised broader questions about religious rhetoric, political mobilisation and the responsibility of influential clerics to promote national unity.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election remains one of Nigeria’s most sensitive political issues as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

With Jingir maintaining his position and Enenche demanding government intervention, attention is now focused on the Presidency, security agencies and religious leaders to determine how the controversy will be handled.