Prophet Isa El-Buba has strongly condemned remarks by Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir describing Christians as “infidels,” accusing the Kano State Government of failing to distance itself from what he described as inflammatory rhetoric.
El-Buba, in a video message reacting to Jingir’s remarks, expressed deep concern over what he described as the growing use of religious language capable of deepening division in Nigeria.
Jingir had, during a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government, urged Muslims to “prepare your votes” and “show the world that the infidels are lying that they outnumber us.”
Reacting to the statement, El-Buba questioned the presence and reaction of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Katsina State Governor Umaru Dikko Radda, who he said were present during the event.
“I’m coming to every Nigerian with a very serious, heavy heart, because I thought that at this stage of our lives, especially when we’re getting older, we should begin to think about Nigeria and how we can all live together in peace,” he said.
El-Buba, who said he had supported thousands of Muslims across Northern Nigeria despite having no personal relationship with them, condemned Jingir’s comments as unacceptable for a religious leader.
“But look at this bastard that calls himself a religious leader. These are the kind of people that I suppose that government should pick,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as the apparent approval given to the remarks by political leaders at the event, arguing that religious and political leaders should be promoting unity rather than division.
“Somebody is standing there in your meeting shouting Muslim, calling Christians infidels,” El-Buba said, warning that such rhetoric could further strain relations between Christians and Muslims.
The cleric-turned-preacher also pointed to insecurity, poverty, drug abuse and criminality in parts of Northern Nigeria, arguing that religious leaders should focus on addressing the challenges facing their communities.
“Are you not ashamed that banditry is here in the north? Criminality is here in the north. It is here in the north you have the highest level of drug addicts,” he said.
El-Buba urged religious leaders to preach messages capable of helping communities overcome their challenges rather than making statements he described as provocative and divisive.
He further warned Christians against supporting what he described as individuals promoting hatred, saying, “War to any Christian that is going to align themselves with these evil, brainless people and creatures.”
Turning specifically to Kano State, El-Buba called on residents to demand accountability from Governor Yusuf over his alleged reaction to Jingir’s remarks.
“I want to say to all the Kano people, it’s time that whatever is your name, the governor of Kano, it’s time you throw that guy out of that seat. He doesn’t deserve it,” he said.
Addressing the governor directly, El-Buba declared: “Your cup is full.”
He also warned that Nigeria belonged to both Christians and Muslims and urged citizens to reject rhetoric capable of portraying one religious group as superior to another.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us,” he said. “It’s time we prove to such wicked, evil, brainless creatures that Nigeria is bigger than them.”
El-Buba also referenced former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying he believed the former governor was “learning his lesson in a bitter way,” while commending the current Kaduna State administration for what he described as a commitment to balance and justice.
The preacher concluded by insisting that religious differences should not be allowed to undermine Nigeria’s unity, urging Nigerians to resist individuals who, in his view, exploit religion to promote division and political mobilisation.
