The National Chairman of the Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahya Jingir, has said that he stands by his position that Nigerians should vote massively for Muslim-Muslim tickets.

“I wonder how Nigerian Christians would call for voting for their own, but somebody will say I have no right to ask for whom we should vote for,” he said.

Sheikh Jingir, who was responding to the widespread national debate that followed his Saturday remarks on Nigeria’s political project and the historical background of leadership, stated that “voting Muslim-Muslim Tickets is what I stand on, because we have suffered enough in the hands of Christian in Plateau State”.

He said, “In my state, which we were there before its creation as a state, Christians said we don’t belong and that we should be expelled; and I can tell you in one area where we have dominance, we counted 100,000 votes for a councillor, but in another area, they counted 15,000 votes for a person that went to National Assembly. Where is justice in this?”

The cleric added, “My Muslim-Muslim ticket is not on Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, but anybody who believes in what I believe in, on the fact that Nigeria Muslims have suffered enough with their leaders being killed”.

Sheikh Yahya Jingir denied saying anything beyond his call for Nigerian Muslims to exercise their voting rights and choose candidates they believe in, adding that “what I said on the day is what I stand on”.

On the killings of Nigerian Muslim leaders, he said “the person that killed Sardauna was Major Nzeogwu Kaduna,” and on Late President Musa Yar’Adua, he said “those who presented him said he will die in the next six months but he spent two years”.

He added that, “At that time many Nigerian Christians were saying that Yar’Adua was incapacitated and he would die; that gave me heart attack that these people, historically, they disliked us and their positions would never change”.

Jingir further stated, “My calls and position on Muslim-Muslim tickets is a long time things; it didn’t start with Tinubu, but because he was the one who accepted it, that is why I will continue to talk about him and voting for him, and this is my personal opinion”.

By Enitan Abdultawab

The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Najeem Salaam, has expressed confidence that voters will back him in Saturday’s election, saying his track record makes him the candidate best placed to end political thuggery and restore peace in the state

Speaking at Arise News’ Town Hall ahead of the election, Salaam said Osun residents were tired of political violence and would support the candidate and party they believed could guarantee peace.

“Osun people do not want thuggery again because they see us and study as the most peaceful party. They also know the only candidate that can bring peace is Najeem Salam and the only party that can bring peace is the ADC,” he said.

The former lawmaker alleged that political violence and the proliferation of weapons remained major concerns in the state, warning that choosing other candidates could worsen existing tensions.

“Osun people know that if they give it to A or B, they will fight. I can tell you that Osun is filled with thuggery and ammunition. So, we will bring peace,” Salaam said.

He said his ambition was to build a better future for Osun residents through good governance, human development and policies targeted at improving the lives of the people.

“To build a better today and tomorrow for Osun. I go in to develop Osun in a better way, give people what belongs to them. I am more than fit than any other governor,” he said.

Salaam also described himself as a reserved politician who relies on research and planning, saying the policies contained in his 10-point agenda were realistic and achievable.

“I am a very reserved person. I conduct research and all that constitute them in my ten-point agenda are doable. It is codified for people that would have access to it. I have been in government and I know how we did,” he said.

The ADC candidate further highlighted his grassroots political experience, saying he began his political career at the local government level and had spent years engaging with communities and understanding their needs.

“I started my political career from the local government. I have been looking after people and I know their needs. If I have the opportunity, I will serve humanity,” Salaam said.

He said his experience in government, grassroots engagement and policy agenda had prepared him to lead Osun, adding that restoring peace would be a major priority of his administration if elected.

Prof. Chris Imumolen, the factional National Chairman of the Accord, has predicted that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, will lose the forthcoming governorship election.

Imumolen, in a statement issued by Israel Jagunmolu, said Adeleke’s political future could be determined either by the outcome of the election or an ongoing legal dispute over the leadership of the Accord.

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