Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, has faulted security agencies for failing to question Islamic cleric, Sheikh Muhammad Jingir, over his recent advocacy for a Muslim-Muslim political arrangement in Nigeria.
According to The Punch Enenche made the remarks during his sermon on Sunday, warning that statements capable of heightening religious tension should not be ignored by authorities.
The pastor insisted that Christianity should not be treated as inferior to any other religion in the country, stressing that Christians make up a significant portion of Nigeria’s population.
“Christianity is not secondary, and no group of religious fanatics will ever make it secondary. Not you, not any political group of people will ever make Christianity secondary to any.”
Enenche questioned why security agencies had yet to invite Jingir for questioning, arguing that unchecked comments capable of triggering violence could undermine national peace.
“I blame security forces for allowing people to make reckless statements. You allow them still moving on the road, allow them still moving, not knowing that such a statement can incite instant violence.”
He said the authorities should have investigated whether Jingir’s remarks had the potential to provoke violence instead of allowing him to continue making similar statements publicly.
“People are messing up and destroying the nation; they are walking free of charge, and they are talking,” he said.
The Dunamis pastor also cautioned against underestimating the Christian community, saying Christians had remained restrained despite what he described as provocative comments.
“Nobody should take the church in this nation for granted. Don’t take the church for granted,” he said.
Enenche further maintained that Christians could be found in substantial numbers across the country, rejecting any suggestion that the faith was subordinate to another religion.
His comments came amid controversy over statements by Jingir, Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, who recently advocated the continued adoption of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Jingir made the remarks at a special wedding reception organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples whose weddings it sponsored.
He urged Muslims to vote in a way that would reflect their numerical strength.
Defending his position in an interview with the BBC, Jingir said he had no regrets about advocating a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, adding that he had held the position long before the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The controversy has also attracted reactions from several political figures, including National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode.
