Bishop David Oyedepo, President and founder of Winners Chapel Worldwide, has issued a scathing rebuke of Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir following controversial remarks that have inflamed religious tensions across Nigeria. The confrontation comes after Sheikh Jingir claimed at a political event in Kano State that Nigeria belongs to the Muslim region, effectively relegating Christians to secondary status in the country.
The Islamic cleric made these divisive statements while defending his support for the All Progressives Congress Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of upcoming elections. Sheikh Jingir justified his position by asserting that Muslims outnumber Christians in Nigeria, a claim that has provoked widespread condemnation from Christian communities and even some Muslim leaders who have called for his arrest.
In a sermon that quickly went viral on social media, Bishop Oyedepo challenged the assertion with pointed references to the massive congregations at major Christian ministries. He specifically cited Redemption Camp, Salvation Ministries, Dunamis and other prominent churches as evidence contradicting Sheikh Jingir’s claims, before asking rhetorically if the cleric had lost his senses.
The bishop concluded his remarks with an ominous prediction, warning Nigerians to expect strange occurrences within the next twelve months. This religious flashpoint underscores the deepening fault lines in Nigerian society as the nation approaches critical elections amid questions about religious representation and national unity.
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