The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday called for the arrest of prominent Islamic cleric Sani Jingir over his remarks on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
NHRC’s Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu made the call in a press statement, asking the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) and other relevant authorities “to immediately arrest and prosecute Sheikh Yahaya Jingir for hate speech and incitement.”
He noted that Mr Jingir’s arrest will serve as an example to individuals who would want to exploit religion for political gain.
Mr Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, criticised Mr Jingir’s remarks, describing them as insensitive at a period the country is preparing for the 2027 general elections.
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Cleric’s remarks
Mr Jingir made the remarks on Saturday at a mass wedding celebration organised and sponsored by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples.
PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier on Tuesday that the cleric, speaking in Hausa, affirmed his readiness to keep supporting the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027 as he did in 2023.
“I am one of those who raise the flag of Islam,” Mr Jingir said. “I am calling on people to come and let us do Muslim-Muslim again.”
He also described Nigeria as a Muslim-majority country and criticised those who reject his claim.
“I know this statement pains the unbelievers,” he said. “I am a Muslim who preaches Islam. If I say Muslim-Muslim, what have I taken away from them?”
He urged Muslims to vote in large numbers, saying the outcome would demonstrate their numerical strength in the country.
“So, here I am calling on you, please, everyone should get their votes ready,” he said, referring to the voter’s card.
“Let us show the world that those unbelievers who claim they outnumber us in Nigeria are lying.”
“When the votes were counted, Allah helped us, and we defeated them,” he said, referring to the APC’s 2023 presidential election victory.
He subsequently reaffirmed his support for the same political arrangement in 2027.
“My vote is for Islam,” he told the gathering. “What about the votes of Muslim people?” he asked, prompting the audience to respond: “It is for Muslims.”
NHRC condemns remarks
The NHRC’s condemned the remarks, describing them as divisive and an attack on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and peaceful coexistence guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution.
“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. 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,” Mr Ojukwu said.
He also requested that all religious leaders, traditional rulers, and politicians refrain from divisive rhetoric. He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in ensuring that the 2027 elections are free and fair.
Former Kano State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also condemned the remarks. He noted that the “good people of Kano” do not support divisive rhetoric.
Similarly, the former Minister of Aviation and Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, criticised Mr Jingir’s comment, describing it as extremist and reckless.