Controversial factional leader of the Izala movement, Sheik Sani Yahaya Jingir, has criticised Nigerians protesting the hardship resulting from President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the cleric stated that the protests were to make the Muslim-Muslim ticket look bad.

“Just because there is hunger now in Nigeria, Christians against a Muslim-Muslim ticket, and Shiites and hypocrites who don’t like the Muslim-Muslim ticket are now calling for you to come out and protest. May Allah undermine all planned protests,” he said. 

In defence of his position, Mr Jingir said hunger is not new, citing instances when Makkah was plagued with hunger. 

“Even in Makkah, there was a period in history when hunger was so severe that people were eating dry bones,” the cleric said. “Is hunger a new thing? Is this the first time hunger has plagued nations?” 

Mr Jingir added, “May Allah curse those who are planning to protest.”

His message came days after northern youths burnt the Nigerian flag to protest economic hardship and the increasing cost of living. 

The protest is among many others the country has seen in recent weeks as the living conditions of Nigerians continue to worsen. 

In light of the recent economic hardship, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, warned through the Northern Traditional Council that an impending revolt against the Tinubu-led government loomed.

Though the government has continued to assure Nigerians of “renewed hope,” the country plunges deeper into hardship daily.