The National President-General of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, has called on pro-Biafra groups and Nigerians uncomfortable with the country’s religious and political direction to intensify demands for a referendum, following recent comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Igboayaka made the call on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during a press briefing in Owerri, where he reacted to Jingir’s reported justification and endorsement of the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
According to the Ohanaeze youth leader, Jingir’s comments went beyond political rhetoric, describing them as evidence of what he alleged to be an agenda by Islamic extremists to impose religious dominance across Nigeria.
Igboayaka said Ndigbo had taken note of Jingir’s reported position, arguing that while groups seeking separate political arrangements could pursue their aspirations, describing Nigeria as a Muslim country was unacceptable in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation.
He contended that the statement had further strengthened calls for a referendum on the future political structure of Nigeria, including the agitation for the restoration of the Republic of Biafra.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council leader subsequently urged various pro-Biafra groups, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Eastern Peoples Congress (EPC), Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN), Revolution Council of Biafra (RCB), Biafra Scientist, Biafra Zonist, Biafra Government in Exile, Biafra National League and Biafra Independent Movement, among others, to intensify their campaign for what he described as a peaceful referendum on Nigeria’s continued existence as one country.
Reacting to Jingir’s reported statement that Nigeria is a Muslim country and that Christians who reject the Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave the country, Igboayaka said the position had raised serious questions about the sustainability of Nigeria’s unity.
He argued that any region or group that felt uncomfortable with the country’s political or religious direction should have the opportunity to pursue self-determination through a referendum rather than resort to violence.
Igboayaka further recalled a New Year message he issued in January 2026, in which he reportedly urged Ndigbo to prepare for their exit from Nigeria. He said the recent remarks attributed to Jingir had reinforced his earlier position that Nigeria was becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile along religious and political lines.
According to him, a referendum or plebiscite remains the only viable peaceful option for addressing what he described as deepening religious and political disagreements in the country.
The Ohanaeze youth leader also criticised what he described as the Federal Government’s silence over Jingir’s reported remarks, arguing that the absence of condemnation from presidential media platforms amounted to consent.
He alleged that the situation reflected the agenda of what he described as a Muslim-dominated administration led by Tinubu and Shettima.
Igboayaka therefore called on tribes, groups and individuals who disagreed with the position attributed to Jingir to commence a campaign for a referendum, saying such a process would provide a peaceful avenue for addressing Nigeria’s religious and political tensions and preventing further killings.
The statement reflects the growing debate over Nigeria’s political structure, religious balance and demands for self-determination, particularly among groups advocating for the restructuring or dissolution of the country.
