No hatred between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria — Makwash

Fani Kayode

The Emir of Shinkafi, Alhaji Muhammad Makwash, has said that there is no hatred between Muslims and Christians, or Northerners and Southerners in Nigeria.

The Emir who made the statement through Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a spokesman of the Emirate, and made available to the media in Abuja on Sunday, said the conferment of chieftaincy titles isn't based on region or religion, and is in the powers of the Emir to decide who to honor with the title.


The statement was made following controversy over the conferment of Chief Femi Fani Kayode with the chieftaincy title 'Sadaukin Shinkafi', by the Emir Of Shinkafi, Alhaji Muhammad Makwash.

Drawing a long list of non Muslims to be honored by the North, Wambai Shinkafi argued that the disquiet over the honoring of Kayode is unjustifiable.

He said, “Femi Fani-Kayode is not the only non-Muslim to bag a title from the North, it is worthy of note that several northern traditional rulers had conferred titles on southerners like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who was conferred with Chieftaincy title of Yallaban Sokoto, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Danjekan Sokoto, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, Wakilin Anka, and former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who was conferred with the Garkuwan Manoman Zamfara. Barrister Solomon Dalung was conferred with Magayakin Bukkuyyum, Sen David Mark was conferred with Jarumin Kauran Namoda, Senator Victor Umeh, Jagaban Shinkafi The APC leader, Bola Tinubu has also bagged such title with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. Why is FFK’s title different?"



Speaking further he said, “There is no hatred between Muslims and Christians or northerners and southerners but some people who want to ignite hatred are reading political meaning to it. He was chosen so that we can foster unity. He served as a minister and represented the whole of Nigeria.”

Shinkafi enumerated the several traditional and academic titles he had been honoured with from different parts of the country and beyond, wondering why people have not protested against them.

“Why have all these places not protested these titles given to me and other northerners?” He asked.


He charged the security agencies to invite, for questioning, those he said are fanning the embers of crisis with a view to preventing them from causing chaos in Zamfara State in particular and the country as a whole.

Hr said those aggrieved over the honor given to Kayode are from Yari's camp. “The conferment of titles is the prerogative of the emir. He reserves the right to give titles to anyone whether Christian or Muslim or Igbo, Yoruba or Itsekiri. We know where the heat is coming from. It is coming from the immediate past governor of Zamfara State Abdulazeez Yari. Those who have resigned their chieftaincy title given to them by emirate are affiliated with the former governor,” he said.