Islamic scholar Sheikh Musa Salihu Alburhan, an ally of prominent cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has defended the Muslim-Muslim leadership of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Alburhan’s sermon appeared to be a response to Sheikh Nurul Khalil, who had reacted to Sheikh Jingir’s description of Christians as “infidels.”

Alburhan, a member of the leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, headquartered in Jos, Plateau State, said he would rather endure hardship under a Muslim leader than enjoy material comfort under a non-Muslim leader.

“For me, having a Muslim as leader while I eat grass is better than having an infidel as leader while I eat chicken every day,” Alburhan said.

The cleric argued that having Muslims in positions of authority benefits Islam because certain matters that could be harmful to the religion would be concealed or prevented.

“It is written in one of the books, because an infidel will harm my religion. The fact that you are being governed under a Muslim-Muslim arrangement is beneficial. Ninety per cent of things are covered, while only 10 per cent are revealed, all for our good,” he said.

Alburhan said many Muslims had failed to appreciate what he considered the religious benefits of the Muslim-Muslim administration.

“This is something your minds have not considered. People will say we are working for someone, but who is that person? We are not campaigning for Tinubu; we are campaigning for Islam,” he added.

The cleric also disputed claims that the country’s hardship is solely the government’s fault. He argued that some people complaining about suffering were themselves involved in conduct prohibited by Islam, including mistreating their parents and engaging in same-sex relations.