The National Human Rights Commission, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and several political figures have condemned comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir over the 2027 general elections.
The groups also called on the government to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute the cleric over remarks they described as inflammatory and capable of deepening religious tensions.
Jingir had reportedly spoken at an event in Kano last weekend, where he defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress and argued that Muslims should dominate Christians because they constitute a larger population.
The NHRC, through its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, described the remarks as hate speech and incitement to religious hatred. The commission urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services and other relevant authorities to take action.
It warned that inflammatory statements ahead of the 2027 elections could fuel division and potentially lead to violence.
CAN also criticised the remarks, saying Nigerians had the right to support any political party or candidate but should not turn political choices into religious contests.
The association urged Nigerians to judge candidates based on leadership, character, competence and performance rather than religious affiliation. It also called on religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace and tolerance.
Similarly, PFN President, Bishop Wale Oke, urged politicians to avoid religious and ethnic considerations when choosing leaders. He said Nigeria’s status as a multi-religious country required balance and equal treatment of citizens.
Oke also condemned violence committed in the name of religion, describing acts such as kidnapping, killings and attacks on schools as criminal regardless of the perpetrators’ faith. He called on the government to take decisive action against religious extremists.
Former Kano State governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also condemned Jingir’s comments. He said the people of Kano did not support the remarks and urged political and religious leaders to promote unity and reconciliation.
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, equally criticised the cleric’s comments and urged him to apologise to Christians. He warned that divisive religious rhetoric could have political consequences for the APC ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Fani-Kayode also called on the DSS to invite and caution Jingir, arguing that inflammatory statements should not be allowed to worsen religious tensions.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called on Nigerians to put aside religious, ethnic and political differences and work together to address insecurity and other challenges facing the country.
Idris said Nigeria’s diversity should be a source of cooperation rather than division, warning that allowing religious differences to interfere with efforts to tackle insecurity could further worsen the situation.
The reactions come amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and renewed concerns over the use of religious rhetoric in political mobilisation.