The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, over what it described as hateful and inciting remarks capable of aggravating religious tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, made the demand after the NHRC reviewed a viral video in which the cleric allegedly canvassed religiously exclusive politics and urged his supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to “show their limit.”
Ojukwu, who condemned the remarks in strong terms, said the cleric’s reference to people of other faiths as “infidels”, coupled with his political exhortations, constituted a dangerous attempt to mobilise citizens along religious lines.
According to him, the statements amounted to hate speech and incitement to religious hatred, with the potential to trigger violence at a time Nigeria is preparing for another politically sensitive electoral cycle.
The NHRC boss said the remarks were inconsistent with the constitutional principles of equality, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence, as well as Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments.
“The Commission finds these remarks to be hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence. At a time when we are preparing for another general election, such utterances are reckless and dangerous.”
Ojukwu warned that failure by the authorities to respond decisively could encourage other influential religious and political actors to make increasingly provocative statements as the 2027 elections draw closer.
“We cannot afford to look away. If we fail to speak and act now, we embolden both Christian and Muslim clerics and other influential persons to make worse statements in the coming months. That path leads only to crisis,” he said.
Consequently, the Commission called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services and other relevant authorities to immediately arrest and prosecute Jingir for alleged hate speech and incitement.
The NHRC insisted that any prosecution should be pursued irrespective of the cleric’s status or political affiliation, arguing that equal application of the law was necessary to deter others from exploiting religious sentiments for political purposes.
The Commission’s intervention comes as political actors, religious leaders and civil society groups increasingly turn their attention to the potential impact of identity-based mobilisation on the 2027 electoral process.
Ojukwu further urged religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians to abandon divisive rhetoric and instead encourage Nigerians to assess political leaders on the basis of competence, service delivery, integrity and respect for fundamental human rights.
He also called on Nigerians to reject identity politics and resist attempts to turn religious affiliation into a tool for political mobilisation.
“The Commission will continue to monitor compliance and will engage with security agencies, INEC, and civil society to ensure that the 2027 elections are free from hate and violence,” he said.
The NHRC’s position adds a fresh dimension to the growing debate over the role of religious rhetoric in Nigeria’s electoral politics, particularly as political parties and prospective candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.
Jingir has previously been involved in controversies surrounding politically charged religious messaging. In the run-up to the 2019 general elections, he attracted criticism over a video message to followers concerning voting and religious identity.
The latest NHRC intervention therefore places renewed focus on the responsibility of influential religious figures to ensure that political mobilisation does not cross the line into rhetoric capable of threatening peaceful coexistence or electoral stability.
