Jingir’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket Remarks Spark OYC Biafra Referendum Call

A fresh political storm is brewing over Nigeria’s religious balance and future, following controversial remarks attributed to Sheikh Yahaya Jingir on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. The statement has now triggered a strong reaction from the Ohanaeze Youth Council, (OYC) which is calling for renewed discussions on a referendum.

Controversial comments attributed to Sheikh Yahaya Jingir on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket have sparked a fresh political reaction, with the Ohanaeze Youth Council urging pro-Biafra groups to intensify calls for a referendum on Nigeria’s future.

Reacting to the remarks, Ohanaeze Youth Council has called for renewed referendum discussions following remarks attributed to Sheikh Yahaya Jingir in support of Nigeria’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. The council’s National President-General, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, argued that Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the country’s political or religious direction should pursue peaceful and democratic avenues, including a referendum, to determine Nigeria’s future.

Ohanaeze Youth Council Reacts to Jingir’s Remarks

The Ohanaeze Youth Council has reacted to comments attributed to Sheikh Yahaya Jingir in support of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Speaking at a press conference in Owerri, Imo State, on August 12, 2026, the National President-General of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, described the remarks as a development that should prompt renewed debate about Nigeria’s political structure, religious balance and future.

Igboayaka said the comments should not be treated as mere political rhetoric. According to him, they raise concerns about religious inclusion and the rights of citizens in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country.

He said Ndigbo had taken note of Jingir’s position, adding that Nigerians should be free to discuss different political arrangements without imposing one religious identity on the entire country.

“Ndigbo has appreciated Sheikh Yahaya Jingir’s revelation,” Igboayaka said.

He argued that if any section of the country desires a separate political arrangement, such a position could be subjected to democratic processes such as a referendum.

Igboayaka Links Remarks to Biafra Referendum Campaign

Igboayaka further argued that Jingir’s reported comments had strengthened the argument of those campaigning for a referendum on Nigeria’s continued existence as one political entity.

He specifically referenced the campaign for the restoration of the Republic of Biafra associated with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other pro-Biafra movements.

According to him, the development should encourage pro-Biafra organisations to intensify their advocacy for a referendum rather than pursue violent means.

He listed groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Eastern Peoples Congress (EPC), Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN), Revolution Council of Biafra (RCB), Biafra Government in Exile, Biafra National League and other pro-Biafra organisations.

Igboayaka urged such groups to focus on peaceful and democratic mechanisms for determining the political future of the country.

Jingir’s Reported Statement Triggers Debate
Igboayaka’s reaction followed a statement attributed to Sheikh Yahaya Jingir in which he reportedly defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket and urged Muslims to maintain political dominance.

Jingir was quoted as saying:
“Nigeria is a Muslim country and if you don’t want to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you should leave Nigeria because it belongs to us.”

The reported statement has generated a political argument over religious identity, political representation and the constitutional character of Nigeria.

However, the comments, as presented by the Ohanaeze Youth Council, represent Jingir’s reported position and should be distinguished from an established constitutional description of Nigeria.

‘Nigeria’s Unity Cannot Be Guaranteed’ — Igboayaka

Reacting to the controversy, Igboayaka said Nigeria’s unity could not be taken for granted if citizens continued to feel excluded on religious, ethnic or political grounds.

He therefore called for peaceful dialogue and democratic processes to address disagreements over the country’s future.

According to him, any community or political group that believes it can no longer coexist within the present Nigerian arrangement should be allowed to pursue its position through a legally recognised referendum or plebiscite.

The Ohanaeze youth leader also recalled a New Year message he issued in January 2026, in which he reportedly urged Ndigbo to prepare for what he described as a possible political exit from Nigeria.

He said the latest controversy had reinforced his earlier position that a referendum should be considered as a means of resolving Nigeria’s long-running political and identity tensions.

Call for Referendum Intensifies

Igboayaka further criticised what he described as the Federal Government’s silence over the reported remarks.

He argued that inflammatory statements on religion should be addressed by political leaders because Nigeria remains a country with citizens from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

According to him, failure to respond to such comments could deepen public suspicion and increase tensions.

He consequently called on Nigerians, ethnic groups, political organisations and civil society groups who disagree with the reported position to intensify peaceful campaigns for a referendum.

Igboayaka maintained that such a process could provide Nigerians with an opportunity to freely determine whether they wish to remain within the present federal structure or pursue alternative political arrangements.

He concluded that a referendum or plebiscite remains, in his view, one of the possible peaceful options for addressing Nigeria’s deep political, religious and ethnic disagreements.