Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab,
Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has said the controversial remarks by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, have exposed what Christians in Northern Nigeria have described as years of religious discrimination and marginalisation.
Hayab made the remarks in kaduna on Monday while reacting to Jingir’s recent comments in Kano, where the cleric defended the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jingir, while speaking at a gathering organised by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), reportedly urged Muslims to unite and use their numerical strength to pursue their political interests.
The cleric also referred to Christians as “infidels” in the course of his remarks, which were delivered in the presence of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and his Jigawa counterpart, Umar Namadi.
Reacting, Hayab said the comments had brought into the open the sentiments that Christians in the North had complained about for decades but which were often dismissed.
“There is always a day when you will no longer pretend. We have been living in pretence in Nigeria, lying to ourselves that we are together, lying to each other that there is unity and lying to each other that we are co-citizens,” he said.
According to him, Jingir’s remarks were particularly disturbing because they were made publicly in the presence of political leaders who, he alleged, did not immediately condemn them.
“But for us as Christians in the North, we know these preachers have always been there for all these decades. So, I think Sheikh Jingir just found an opportunity to open up what has been happening in secret,” Hayab said.
“The man did not just say it in his room. The man said it in the presence of three governors, and they were all smiling.
“An action that would have been frowned upon, an action that would have been rebuked, an action that would have been rejected instantly,” he added.
Hayab challenged the governors present at the event, the Federal Government and political candidates reportedly being promoted by Jingir to publicly state their positions on the controversial remarks.
“We are waiting to see the reaction of those governors. Whatever stopped them from reacting that day is another different thing. We are going to see what they are going to say.
“Then, we will see the reaction of the Federal Government. We will see the reaction of those candidates whom the man is campaigning for, whether they like such,” he said.
The NCA chairman said the controversy should not be reduced to the debate over the Muslim-Muslim ticket, arguing that the real concern was the use of derogatory language against citizens because of their religious identity.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were not elected solely by Muslims in the 2023 presidential election.
“Will you tell me that the current Muslim-Muslim ticket that you claim to have put was only elected by Muslims? No, sir. I can count names of states that are mostly Christian. The man won in those states,” Hayab said.
He added that although Christians had expressed concerns over the absence of religious balance on the presidential ticket, they remained committed to democratic participation and national unity.
“We only wanted understanding and togetherness, as enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.
Hayab described the reference to Christians as “infidels” as unacceptable, warning that such rhetoric could further deepen religious divisions and undermine peaceful coexistence.
“If you respect me, you do not come out publicly and make such a derogatory statement against me, against my faith, just for politics.
“It is no longer politics. It is the reality that has been going on on the ground,” he said.
Despite the controversy, Hayab said Christian leaders would continue to engage Muslims, government officials and other stakeholders through dialogue.
“We will not stop the dialogue. We will talk with honest people and clerics. We will talk with people who understand things rightly.
“But we should also call out people like Jingir and others. And when we call them out, government can now act responsibly and know that these people are creating bigger problems for us than uniting Nigeria.
“Nigeria needs unity. Nigeria needs togetherness,” he said.
The NCA chairman also renewed his call for the inclusion of religion in Nigeria’s national census, arguing that accurate demographic data would help address competing claims over religious population and numerical strength.
He said the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket should not be allowed to further divide the country, noting that Nigeria had previously had political tickets involving candidates of the same faith.
According to him, the major concern should be the inflammatory language and attempts to portray fellow citizens as inferior or unwanted because of their religion.
Hayab further rejected claims that Christian leaders had failed to engage the government on issues affecting their communities.
He said Christian leaders regularly meet political party leaders, government officials and security agencies to raise concerns, but sometimes choose quiet engagement in the interest of peace.
He also expressed concern over what he described as a growing pattern of divisive religious statements, citing another video in which a speaker allegedly said Christians would be removed from government and other sectors if he became governor of Katsina State.
Hayab urged the authorities to take decisive steps against inflammatory rhetoric capable of worsening religious tensions.
He also opposed attempts to restrict religious preaching, arguing that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to practise and propagate their faith.
“Nigerians are suffering from hunger. There is insecurity in Nigeria. Our people are not reminding themselves to do what is right to secure Nigeria and to contribute to nation building.
“Instead, they are busy coming up with divisive rhetoric, insulting fellow citizens and smiling while someone insults other citizens.
“It is a shame,” he said.
