The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, over alleged hate speech and inciting remarks capable of heightening religious tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, made the call after reviewing a viral video in which Jingir allegedly canvassed religiously exclusive politics and urged his supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to “show their limit.”
Ojukwu condemned the remarks, particularly the alleged reference to people of other faiths as “infidels,” describing the combination of religious rhetoric and political mobilisation as a dangerous attempt to deepen divisions along religious lines.
According to him, the statements amounted to hate speech and incitement to religious hatred, with the potential to trigger violence as the country approaches another politically sensitive electoral cycle.
“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 said.
He warned that failure by law enforcement authorities to act decisively could embolden other influential religious and political figures to make increasingly provocative statements as the 2027 elections approach.
“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 NHRC urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant authorities to immediately investigate, arrest and prosecute Jingir over the alleged offences.
The Commission stressed that any legal action must be based on the law and applied without regard to the cleric’s status, influence or political affiliation, saying equal application of the law was essential to deter the exploitation of religious sentiments for political purposes.
The intervention comes amid growing concerns over identity-based political mobilisation and its potential implications for the credibility and security of the 2027 electoral process.
Ojukwu urged religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians to shun divisive rhetoric and encourage voters to assess political candidates based on competence, integrity, service delivery and respect for fundamental human rights.
He also called on Nigerians to reject identity politics and resist efforts to use religious affiliation as 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 has added fresh momentum to concerns about the role of religious rhetoric in Nigeria’s electoral politics as political parties and prospective candidates begin preparations for the 2027 polls.
Jingir has previously attracted controversy over politically charged religious messaging, including a video circulated during the build-up to the 2019 general elections concerning voting and religious identity.
The latest NHRC intervention has consequently renewed calls for influential religious figures to exercise restraint and ensure that political mobilisation does not degenerate into rhetoric capable of undermining peaceful coexistence and electoral stability.
