JINGIR ALLEGES MUSLIMS ARE MARGINALISED IN PLATEAU, CLAIMS THEY OUTNUMBER CHRISTIANS
Prominent Islamic cleric and National Chairman of the Council of Ulama of Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has reignited debate over religious representation, political inclusion and communal relations in Plateau State after alleging that Muslims are being marginalised despite constituting the majority of the state's population.
Jingir reportedly made the allegation on September 26, 2026, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as the dominance of Christians in key political and security positions under the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
According to a report published by 9News Nigeria, the cleric questioned why Christians occupied several strategic positions, including the offices of governor, deputy governor, Commissioner of Police, State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and General Officer Commanding (GOC).
He was quoted as saying:
"In Plateau, the Commissioner of Police is a Christian, the Governor and Deputy Governor are Christians, the DSS State Coordinator is a Christian, and the GOC is Christian. Yet, we Muslims are more than Christians in the state. They are marginalising us in this state."
The allegation has brought renewed attention to the sensitive intersection of religion, political representation and citizenship in a state that has experienced recurrent communal and ethno-religious conflicts.
DEMOGRAPHIC CLAIMS UNDER SCRUTINY
Although Jingir insists that Muslims constitute the majority in Plateau, his assertion remains unverified by official demographic data.
Nigeria's national census does not provide an authoritative, contemporary breakdown of religious affiliation by state. Consequently, neither the claim that Muslims outnumber Christians nor the contrary should be presented as an established statistical fact without credible supporting evidence.
The cleric's allegation therefore raises a fundamental question: is political representation in Plateau being determined by religious considerations, or are the appointments in question based on constitutional authority, competence and other legitimate considerations?
Religious identity alone cannot establish whether a government has discriminated against a particular community.
Nevertheless, concerns about exclusion and unequal access to public institutions deserve transparent examination, irrespective of the religious identity of those raising them.
SAHARAREPORTERS' EARLIER COVERAGE ADDS TO THE CONTROVERSY
Jingir's latest allegation comes against the backdrop of previous controversies surrounding his political and religious interventions.
SaharaReporters reported on his August 9, 2026 remarks at a political gathering in Kano, where he made controversial statements concerning the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and non-Muslims.
The remarks generated criticism from several quarters, with concerns raised about the implications of religious rhetoric for national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Separately, Sahara Reports published an August 15 report titled, 'You Are a Settler in Plateau, Not an Indigene' – Group Blasts Sheikh Jingir, detailing the reaction of the One Plateau, One Voice group to the cleric's position on Plateau politics and his claim to speak for the people of the state.
The group's convener, Dogo Nanzing, questioned Jingir's authority to speak on behalf of Plateau's indigenous population and accused him of using religious identity to advance political interests. These were allegations made by the group, not independently established findings.
The earlier controversies have added another dimension to the debate over the responsibilities of influential religious figures in a politically and religiously sensitive environment.
PETITION SEEKS INVESTIGATION OF JINGIR'S REMARKS
The September 26 statement also attracted the attention of the Patrick Anum Advocacy Group, which reportedly petitioned security and justice authorities over remarks attributed to the cleric.
In a report published on September 29, The Guardian disclosed that the group had approached the DSS, Plateau State Police Command and the state Attorney-General, expressing concern that the cleric's statements could aggravate existing religious and communal tensions.
The group called for the relevant recordings and publications to be obtained and examined, while urging authorities to act in accordance with the law.
However, the petition represents the position of the advocacy group and should not be interpreted as proof that Jingir committed an offence.
GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THE QUESTION OF EQUAL CITIZENSHIP
The Plateau State Government has a responsibility to demonstrate that public appointments and government policies are guided by fairness, competence and constitutional principles rather than religious preference.
Equally, allegations of marginalisation should be supported by verifiable evidence, including appointment records, distribution of opportunities, access to public services and documented cases of discrimination.
Under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, citizens are protected against discrimination on grounds including religion, ethnic group and place of origin.
This protection applies equally to Muslims and Christians.
However, constitutional equality does not automatically translate into an entitlement for any religious group to occupy a predetermined proportion of political or security offices.
The appropriate standard is equal opportunity, fairness and non-discrimination.
PLATEAU CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER RELIGIOUS DIVIDE
Plateau State remains one of Nigeria's most sensitive theatres of communal and ethno-religious tension. Its history makes responsible public communication particularly important.
Religious leaders have legitimate constitutional rights to express concerns about injustice, exclusion and government policies. But their influence also comes with a responsibility to avoid unsubstantiated demographic claims and language capable of deepening suspicion between communities.
The Mutfwang administration, on its part, should not treat questions about inclusion as mere political provocation. It should provide clear evidence of fairness in appointments and reassure all communities that government belongs to every citizen.
Ultimately, the issue should not be reduced to whether Christians or Muslims control more government positions.
The more important questions are whether Plateau citizens enjoy equal protection, whether appointments are transparent, whether communities have fair access to opportunities and whether government is doing enough to protect lives and property.
No religious community should have to establish numerical superiority before demanding justice, and no community should be denied equal citizenship because of its faith.
Plateau needs accountable leadership, constitutional equality and lasting peace — not a political contest in which religious identity becomes the principal measure of entitlement.