Sheikh Muhammad Sabi Yahya Jingir has praised President Bola Tinubu for travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.
The JIBWIS cleric said Tinubu’s pilgrimage made him extremely happy and linked it to the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
His remarks have sparked mixed reactions on social media, with Nigerians debating religion, insecurity and the country’s leadership.
Sheikh Muhammad Sabi Yahya Jingir, the Chairman of the Ulama’u Council of JIBWIS WW, has explained why he supports the Muslim-Muslim ticket following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s latest trip to Saudi Arabia.
The Islamic cleric said he was extremely happy when he learnt that Tinubu had travelled to Makkah to perform Umrah, describing the development as one of the reasons Muslims should continue to appreciate the Muslim-Muslim arrangement.
What Sheikh Jingir said about Tinubu ‘s Saudi Arabia trip
In a statement that has attracted attention online, Jingir expressed excitement over the president’s religious journey and connected it to the religious identity of Nigeria’s current leadership.
He questioned whether Tinubu would have undertaken the pilgrimage if Nigeria did not have a Muslim president.
The cleric said: “I woke up extremely happy when I saw that President Tinubu went to Saudi Ariabia for Umrah. This is why we keep insisting on Muslim/Muslim ticket.
“If we didn’t have a Muslim President, will he have gone to mecca for Pilgrimage,” he said.
His comments have brought renewed attention to the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 presidential election.
When Tinubu travelled to Mecca for Umrah
Tinubu’s latest religious journey began on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when he departed Abuja for Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
He arrived in Jeddah later that day before proceeding with his religious activities. The Presidency confirmed on Friday, October 30, that the president had completed Umrah at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram.
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During the exercise, Tinubu performed Tawaf by circling the Holy Ka’abah. He also offered prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and protection.
This was not his first visit to Makkah for the pilgrimage. According to a statement by presidential aide Segun Dada, Tinubu also performed Umrah in April and December 2022, ahead of the APC presidential primary and the 2023 general election.
The latest trip has therefore renewed discussions about the relationship between the president’s religious identity and his political support.
Nigerians react to Sheikh Jingir’s statement
Jingir’s remarks have generated different opinions, with some Nigerians questioning why religious considerations should take priority over the country’s challenges.
Others criticised the cleric for focusing on the president’s pilgrimage while insecurity and economic difficulties remain major concerns.
Here are some reactions gathered by Newsflashngr
Ambee @Ambee_yaa wrote:
“Religion (Muslim/Muslim) ticket is the only thing that matters to majority of Northern Muslims….. that’ what they’d vote for.”
QS U Abdul @abdullukasha1 wrote:
“Pls can he still come out and talk regarding the insecurity ,killings and economic hardship happening in Arewa …?
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever does not show mercy to people, Allah will not show mercy to him.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.”
official king @officialkings89 wrote:
“anytime the north or a muslim is ruling na northerners dey suffer pass. Una leaders will keep on impoverishing you guys. The only good leader from the north was yaradua. Next election I will vote tinubu or atiku so that you guys can keep on suffering since Una like to dey suffer”
Ify @Loadedlink1 wrote:
“I knew that was the reason tinubu went to mecca to deceive them with Muslim/Muslim ticket again. Haven’t u guys learnt anything this few years yet,if u guys like elect the same calamity again that doesn’t give a shit about u. Look at the killings going on in ur region..”
Watch the video here:
“I woke up extremely happy when I saw that President Tinubu went to Saudi Ariabia for Umrah.
This is why we keep insisting on Muslim/Muslim ticket.
If we didn’t have a Muslim President, will he have gone to mecca for Pilgrimage” https://t.co/XNPXLolEwA
— Arewa Source (@Arewa_Source) October 31, 2026
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