NHRC, CAN, PFN, Others to FG; Arrest, Prosecute Sheikh Jingir

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, the Vice Presidential Candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday took Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, to task over inciting statements against Christians in the country.

They also asked government to arrest the cleric and prosecute him to serve as a deterrent to other religious leaders in the habit of doing same.

The cleric had, in the presence of two governors in Kano last weekend, not only justified the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2027 elections, but also said Muslims should dominate Christians because they were more in number.

NHRC asks FG to arrest, prosecute Sheikh Jingir for hate speech

However, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, which expressed anger over the cleric’s declaration, yesterday urged the Federal Government to immediately arrest and prosecute him for hate speech and incitement.

The commission, in a statement by its Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, said it condemned in strong terms “the hateful and inciting remarks” it said were made by the cleric in a viral video on Sunday.

The NHRC said it watched with grave concern as the cleric openly canvassed religiously exclusive politics, ahead of the general elections and used derogatory language referring to “infidels” while urging supporters to obtain voters’ cards to “show their limit.”

The rights body described the statements as a direct attack on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and peaceful coexistence guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

“The commission finds these remarks to be hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence. At a time we are preparing for another general election, such utterances are reckless and dangerous. They serve no purpose other than to divide Nigerians along religious lines and set citizens against one another.

“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,” the commission stated.

Consequently, it called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, and other relevant authorities to immediately arrest and prosecute Sheikh Jingir for hate speech and incitement.

The commission implored religious leaders, traditional rulers, and politicians to refrain from divisive rhetoric, even as it urged Nigerians to reject identity politics and to hold leaders accountable based on competence, service delivery, and respect for human rights.

“Prosecution must proceed irrespective of status or political affiliation in order to serve as a deterrent to others who may seek to exploit religion for political gain during this election period.

“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,” the statement further read.

On its part, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, warned that divisive religious rhetoric, rather than Nigerians’ political choices, pose greater threat to the country’s unity.

The association said Nigerians should be free to support different candidates and political parties, but cautioned against turning those choices into a religious contest capable of deepening the country’s existing fault lines.

In a statement by its Media Office, CAN described as troubling remarks by the Islamic cleric, particularly the labelling of fellow Nigerians as “unbelievers” and the suggestion that elections should be viewed through the prism of religious numbers.

“CAN has no quarrel with anyone’s political choice, preferred candidate or political persuasion. Every Nigerian has the right to support whoever they choose within the bounds of the law,” the statement said.

The association stressed that Nigeria belongs to citizens of different faiths, adding that nobody should be made to feel unwelcome in the country because of religious belief.

“No Nigerian should be made to feel like a stranger in their own country because of their religious belief,” it said.

It also cautioned religious leaders to be mindful of the influence they wield, especially during politically charged periods, urging them to use their platforms to promote peace, tolerance and responsible citizenship.

“Religious leaders command considerable influence and should therefore be careful with the words they use, especially in a politically charged season,” the statement added. On elections, CAN said voters should be guided by the quality of leadership, character, competence and performance, rather than religious mobilisation or claims of superiority.

“Elections are about choosing leaders. They should be decided by the quality of leadership, character, competence, performance and the confidence candidates are able to earn from Nigerians—not by religious mobilisation or claims of religious superiority,” it said.