Oyedepo slams Jingir's 'Nigeria is Islamic nation' claim as 'mad' during sermon
Bishop David Oyedepo condemned Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir for asserting Nigeria belongs to Muslims and that Christians are secondary, calling Jingir 'mad' during a sermon. Oyedepo cited massive congregations at churches like Redemption Camp, Salvation Ministries, and Dunamis as evidence contradicting Jingir's claim that Islam outnumbers Christianity nationwide.
Jingir made his remarks at a Kano State political function earlier this month while defending his support for the APC's Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the January election. His comments triggered anger across Christian communities, with some Muslims also demanding his arrest over statements deemed inflammatory and factually incorrect regarding Nigeria's religious demographics.
Oyedepo further warned of 'strange happenings' in Nigeria over the next twelve months, urging Jingir's supporters to retract their claims after observing church attendance across the country. This exchange underscores how religious rhetoric is increasingly weaponized in Nigerian political discourse as elections approach, raising concerns about national unity and the politicization of faith-based identity in a religiously diverse nation.