‘You are a settler in Plateau, not an indigene’ – Group blasts Sheikh Jingir

A group, One Plateau, One Voice’, has reacted to claims by controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, that Plateau people are in support of the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and would vote massively for the ruling party in 2027.

The convener of the group, Dogo Nanzing, who took exception to Sheikh Jingir’s position while appearing on the People’s Movement, a podcast programme hosted by Jos-based radio presenter and comedian, Osama Apkunonu, on Saturday, said Jingir has no authority to speak on behalf of Plateau people as he is a settler himself and not an indigene of the state.

Nanzing said the ‘One Plateau, One Voice’ group found it rather insulting that Sheikh Jingir would assume the position of the mouthpiece of indigenous Plateau people and declare that everyone is in support of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

Nanzing also accused the Islamic cleric of using religion to advance what he described as personal and political interests, insisting that Jingir does not speak for Muslims in Plateau State.

According to Nanzing, the Sheikh’s position does not reflect the general position of the people of the state.

“Yahaya Jingir is not one of us. He is not from Plateau. He is a settler and a resident on the Plateau, but not an indigene,” Nanzing said while responding to questions on the stance of the residents.

He explained that the cleric has, over the years, assumed the position of a spokesperson for Plateau Muslims and has increasingly made divisive comments which many misinterpret as the general views of the people, thereby causing unnecessary religious and political tensions.

The group’s convener further described Sheikh Jingir as a self-centred religious bigot whose antics were often driven by personal interests rather than the collective interests of Muslims or Plateau residents.

“Yahaya Jingir is only speaking for himself, his family and his pocket. He is not speaking for Muslims, and even as a leader of an Islamic sect, he is not speaking for the entire Izala movement,” Nanzing alleged.

He also cited the rejection of Sheikh Jingir’s remarks by the state chapter of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, saying the organisation had distanced itself from a statement issued by an individual associated with its media structure in support of the cleric.

“JNI came out and disclaimed it completely. They distanced themselves from Jingir’s position. That tells you clearly that he is speaking for himself,” Nanzing said.

He urged the Plateau State government and relevant stakeholders to consider measures to prevent religious teachings that could incite hatred or division.