The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and leading Christian organisations have condemned remarks attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission, alongside the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, described the reported comments as potentially divisive.
They also called for appropriate action against the cleric, warning that inflammatory religious rhetoric could worsen tensions ahead of the elections. Jingir had reportedly defended the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, while arguing that Muslims should dominate Christians because they constitute a larger population.
The NHRC urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute Jingir over what it described as hate speech and incitement. In a statement by its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the commission said it was concerned by a viral video in which the cleric allegedly used derogatory references to non-Muslims and encouraged supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.
The commission said such remarks could undermine equality, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution. It urged the Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Services and other relevant authorities to act on the matter.
The NHRC also warned religious leaders, politicians and traditional rulers against using their influence to promote divisive rhetoric. It said prosecution should apply irrespective of the status or political affiliation of anyone found responsible for inflammatory statements.
CAN said it had no objection to Nigerians supporting whichever political candidates they preferred. However, the association warned against transforming political preferences into religious contests. In a statement issued through its Media Office, CAN said every Nigerian had the right to support a candidate within the law. It stressed that religious identity should not determine a citizen’s place in the country.
“Elections are about choosing leaders,” the association said, urging voters to consider character, competence, performance and leadership ability. CAN said the danger was not political choice itself but turning those choices into a religious battle.
PFN President, Bishop Wale Oke, similarly urged politicians to avoid ethnic and religious considerations when choosing leaders. He argued that Nigeria’s status as a secular nation required fairness and representation across religious lines. Oke also condemned violence committed in the name of religion, saying criminal acts should not be excused because perpetrators claim religious justification.
He called on the government to take firm action against radicals involved in kidnapping, killings and other violent crimes. The PFN leader also distinguished between genuine religious persuasion and the use of violence to force religious beliefs on others.
Former Kano State governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also criticised the remarks attributed to Jingir. In a statement on his verified Facebook page, Kwankwaso said Kano residents did not endorse or support statements capable of promoting division.
He urged political and religious leaders to promote unity, truth and reconciliation. According to him, the 2027 elections should give Nigerians an opportunity to reward good governance and reject poor performance.
Fani-Kayode also expressed concern over the cleric’s comments, particularly the reported reaction of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf. The former minister warned against allowing political interests to override religious sensitivity. He said Nigeria’s religious diversity required restraint, mutual respect and responsible public discourse.
Fani-Kayode maintained that the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket should be judged by the competence, character and capacity of its candidates rather than religious identity. He also urged the DSS to invite and caution Jingir over statements capable of inflaming religious sentiments.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called for greater unity among Nigerians regardless of religious, ethnic or political differences. Idris spoke in Abuja during an international conference on diversity and social peace organised by Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah in partnership with the Muslim World League.
He warned that allowing religious and ethnic differences to overshadow the fight against insecurity could worsen the country’s challenges. The minister urged Nigerians to work together as citizens and resist attempts to exploit the country’s divisions.
As political activities intensify ahead of 2027, the reactions to Sheikh Jingir have renewed calls for restraint among religious and political leaders. Stakeholders argue that political competition should not be allowed to deepen Nigeria’s existing religious fault lines.
