The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, over alleged hate speech and incitement to religious hatred in a viral video ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said remarks attributed to Jingir, including advocacy for religiously exclusive politics and references to some Nigerians as “infidels”, were dangerous and capable of inflaming tensions in an already sensitive political environment.

Ojukwu urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security and law-enforcement agencies to act immediately, stressing that no individual, regardless of status, influence or political affiliation, should be above the law.

The NHRC boss said the Commission viewed with “grave concern” the remarks attributed to Jingir, particularly his reported call on supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to “show their limit”.

He described the comments as an attempt to exploit religious sentiments for political mobilisation and warned that such rhetoric could deepen divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Ojukwu, the statements violate the principles of equality, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

“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,” Ojukwu said.

He warned that failure by authorities to respond decisively to inflammatory statements could embolden other influential individuals, including religious and political leaders, to escalate divisive rhetoric 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 warned.

Ojukwu therefore called for Jingir’s prosecution, insisting that legal action should be pursued irrespective of his status or political affiliation.

He said decisive enforcement of the law would send a strong warning to individuals who might seek to manipulate religious sentiments or exploit identity politics for political advantage during the election season.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, who is also the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria, appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians to refrain from inflammatory and divisive rhetoric capable of undermining national unity.

He urged Nigerians to reject identity-based politics and assess political leaders based on competence, service delivery, accountability and respect for human rights.

“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.