Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has described claims that he harbours hatred for Christians as “mere lies”.

This was just as he clarified that his recent controversial public l comments were taken out of context.

Jingir made the clarification on Sunday in Jos, Plateau State, while speaking at a one-day national symposium themed, “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria.”

The cleric had recently attracted criticism over remarks made during a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, with some Nigerians accusing him of making comments capable of deepening religious divisions.

But addressing the controversy, Jingir said he never expressed hatred towards Christians or people of other faiths.

“A lot of people are saying I dislike Christians. I didn’t say I dislike Christians. It is a lie. My remarks were misinterpreted,” he said.

He stressed that Islamic leadership was founded on justice and fairness, arguing that Muslims were not permitted to discriminate against people of other faiths.

“Leadership in Islam is not about cheating people of different faiths. Islam teaches us to share love with people of different faiths or sects,” he added.

Jingir further said Muslims would be held accountable for any injustice committed against non-Muslims, while citing the Prophet Muhammad’s relationship with people of other faiths as an example of peaceful coexistence.

He consequently urged President Bola Tinubu, state governors and other political leaders to govern with fairness, regardless of the ethnic, religious or political affiliations of citizens.

“I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to cheat non-Muslims and Muslims alike. I also call on you not to cheat those who are not in the same political party with you. You should lead with justice and fairness to all Nigerians,” he said.

The JIBWIS leader also defended the right of Nigerians to make independent political choices, stressing that every citizen should be free to support any candidate of his or her choice during elections.

“Everyone has the right to vote for whoever he feels is okay with him to vote for during an election,” Jingir stated.

He called for greater commitment to peace, unity and national cohesion, warning that insecurity and division would continue to undermine Nigeria’s development.

“Without peace, there will be no development,” he said, urging Nigerians to strengthen peaceful relations among the country’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.

Jingir’s latest comments come against the backdrop of his earlier political remarks in Kano, where he publicly backed the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and described President Tinubu as his “political hero” for supporting the arrangement.

At the campaign event held in support of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the cleric urged Muslims to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and mobilise ahead of future elections.

He had said those opposed to the Muslim-Muslim ticket should “leave Nigeria because it belongs to us,” while referring to non-Muslims opposing the arrangement as “infidels” and urging his audience to “show the infidels their limit” at the polls.

Those remarks sparked criticism from sections of the public, with many accusing the cleric of promoting religious extremism.