The Arewa Youth Merger Group, APC, has criticised former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over his claim that the people of Kano do not support the position of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

The group’s position was contained in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Musa Mujahid Zaitawa, and made available to journalists.

The group described Kwankwaso’s criticism of Jingir’s position as his personal opinion and not the position of the people of Kano State.

“It is wrong for Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to interfere with the opinion of a cleric who is exercising his constitutional right as a Nigerian citizen to express his views,” the statement read.

The group also criticised Kwankwaso for opposing the Muslim-Muslim ticket, citing comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who it said had publicly stated that the arrangement was not unconstitutional.

It further referenced the position of Peter Obi, whom the group described as Kwankwaso’s running mate, claiming that the former Anambra State governor had acknowledged that there was no constitutional problem with a Muslim-Muslim ticket and apologised for introducing religious division into his previous campaign.

The Arewa Youth Merger Group described Kwankwaso’s criticism of Jingir as “disgraceful” and urged him to desist from making statements it said could deepen divisions among Nigerians for political reasons.

The group reaffirmed its support for the Tinubu-Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.