The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has called for the arrest and prosecution of Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir over remarks it described as divisive and inflammatory.
The commission’s demand followed comments attributed to Jingir at an event in Kano, where he reportedly defended the Muslim Muslim ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections and called for Muslims to assert political dominance over Christians.
In a statement, NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, described the remarks as “hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence.”
The commission warned that such statements could deepen religious divisions and threaten peaceful coexistence in the country.
The NHRC urged security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, DSS, to arrest and prosecute the cleric, stressing that accountability should apply to everyone regardless of status or political affiliation.
“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 NHRC stated.
The commission also called on religious leaders, politicians and traditional rulers to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric capable of heightening tensions.
It further urged Nigerians to reject identity based politics as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, stressing the need to protect national unity and peaceful coexistence.
