The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Joseph Hayab, has called for moderation and mutual respect in public discourse, particularly on religious and political matters.
Hayab made the call on Monday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief monitored by The News Chronicle.
The Christian leader was reacting to remarks attributed to Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahya Jingir, in a video circulating on social media, where he reportedly said those opposed to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket should leave Nigeria, claiming that the country belongs to Muslims.
Hayab said while Nigerians had endured several provocative statements in the past, the use of the derogatory term “infidel” had further heightened the controversy.
He urged religious and political leaders to exercise restraint and engage in constructive dialogue, particularly when addressing sensitive national issues.
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“We have always been tolerant of this, and I want to take us back.
“We have had the worst of these statements. But we have to be moderate. We have to be careful when we come to public space.
“Honestly speaking, if Jingir had said, ‘Look, let’s vote for our Muslim brothers to show we are strong,’ it wouldn’t have been as offensive as adding the term ‘infidel’.
“The moment he went out of just campaigning and insulting, then it turns the story different.
“But we are saying this as Christians that we’ve had this for a long time, we’ve suffered this for a long time, we are familiar with this for a long time,” he said.
