• Mahdi Shehu: Uninformed statement triggering fresh animosity
•NCYP warns against reopening of old wounds
Chuks Okocha and Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani 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, 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, 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.
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.
Meanwhile, activist Mahdi Shehu, has criticised Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Jingir, over his recent description of Christians as infidels, calling the statement reckless and contrary to Islamic teachings.
Shehu made the comments in a post on X, where he accused Jingir of making “unguarded, inciting and reckless statements.”
He said Jingir’s description of Christians as infidels was not only un-Islamic but also irresponsible.
“His venomous statement is contrary to the dignified name of AHLIL-KITAB given to Christians in the Quran by Allah himself as can be found in various verses of the Quran, such as in Sura Al-Ma’ida 5:19, 5:59 and 5:68 and many other places,” Shehu said.
He warned that the cleric’s comments could further damage efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
“Jingir’s unschooled statement has triggered another circle of reversing efforts of building peaceful co-existence between people of different faith, particularly in Northern Nigeria where peace is fragile.
“Christians should take note that Jingir’s irresponsible and senile statement of referring to Christians as Infidels is unislamic, cruel and insensitive and does represent the views of millions of peace loving Muslims.
“His psychotic-like statement is nothing but an invitation to be noticed and solicitation for continued political patronage so as to continue living in fake and undeserving temporary comfort.
“Jingir should be ashamed of himself for willingly and deliberately discarding his age into the dustbin of ignorance.
“Christians have the right to feel pained and react harshly. But their anger should be directed to Jingir and his cohorts and not to millions of Muslims who don’t share Jingir’s mental derailment,” he added.
Also, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP), has condemned the description of Christians as “Arna,” a Hausa term commonly used to denote an infidel or unbeliever, in remarks attributed to Jingir.
It warning that such rhetoric could reopen old religious wounds and provide fertile ground for extremists and criminal elements to exploit.
In a statement by its National Chairman, Isaac Abrak, the organisation described the alleged remarks as “deeply unfortunate and in bad taste,” particularly given Jingir’s stature and influence as a religious leader.
NCYP said the characterisation of Christians as “Arna” was not only inaccurate but also amounted to a denigration of the Christian faith and the identity of millions of Nigerians.
“Christians are faithful believers in Jesus Christ, whom we worship as the Son of the Almighty God. We are not ‘infidels’ or people without faith,” the organisation said, insisting that responsible religious discourse should not diminish the faith or identity of fellow citizens.
The group said it expected greater restraint, wisdom and responsibility from Jingir, given his age, experience and standing in society.
It warned that inflammatory religious rhetoric could have consequences beyond the immediate political controversy, particularly in a region with a history of devastating communal and religious conflicts.