Prof Ahmad Suleiman, Director of Research and Production at the Ambassador of Peace and Social Welfare Initiative, has questioned Sheikh Jingir’s controversial remarks on Nigeria’s religious identity, citing the cleric’s background and the challenges faced by Muslims in Plateau State.
Speaking during an interview from 13:32 on Channels Television on Monday, 10 August, 2026, Suleiman said Jingir was from Plateau State, where he noted that some Muslims whose families had lived in the state for generations still faced difficulties regarding indigeneship.
“If you look at Sheikh Jingir, this is a man who on the date of Eid, his followers were killed on that day. This is a man coming from Plateau State where most Muslims even if they were born there, their grandfathers were born there don’t even have indigeneship.”
Suleiman’s comments came amid controversy over remarks attributed to Jingir that Nigeria is a Muslim country and that those who do not accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave the country.
The professor questioned the implications of such statements, particularly given the religious and communal challenges experienced in parts of the country.
He also referenced the killing of Jingir’s followers on the day of Eid, highlighting what he described as the difficult circumstances surrounding religious communities in some parts of Nigeria.