Centre Tackles Sheikh Jingir Over Inflammatory Statements

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned the recent remarks by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, asking Muslims to sustain Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.

Jingir had, at a mass wedding in Kano attended by Governor Abba Yusuf and Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, called on Muslims to show the infidels their limit while advocating the continuation of Muslim-Muslim political leadership.

In a statement yesterday, CHRICED executive director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, described the remarks as incendiary and deeply troubling.

He warned that inflammatory religious rhetoric could worsen Nigeria’s existing religious and political fault lines ahead of the 2027 elections.

The organisation said Jingir’s comments did not represent the views of the majority of Nigerian Muslims, stressing that political leadership should be determined by competence, integrity, accountability and service rather than religious identity.

Zikrullahi also faulted the use of religious platforms to promote what it described as intolerance and political exclusion, warning that such rhetoric could have dangerous consequences in a country already battling insecurity and social tensions.

“Political power belongs to all Nigerians,” the organisation said, adding that constitutional rights to religion, association and political participation must not be used to promote religious supremacy or the dehumanisation of citizens of other faiths.

The group further expressed concern over the silence of political leaders who attended the event, saying their failure to publicly condemn the remarks could lend legitimacy to divisive rhetoric.

CHRICED warned that the escalation of religiously charged statements ahead of the 2027 elections could become a dangerous precedent if political and religious leaders fail to act decisively.

It therefore urged political leaders across party and religious lines to publicly reject inflammatory rhetoric, while calling on religious scholars and institutions to caution their followers against using religious platforms to deepen political and sectarian divisions.

The organisation also called on the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen measures against hate speech and religious incitement, while respecting constitutional freedoms.

Political parties and candidates, it said, should focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than religious identity, while traditional, religious and community leaders should promote dialogue, tolerance and equal citizenship.

CHRICED further urged Nigerians to reject attempts to divide the country along religious lines and demand leadership based on credibility, competence and accountability.

As the country approaches the 2027 general elections, the organisation said political and religious leaders must build bridges, not widen divides, stressing that no religion owns Nigeria and no citizen should be made to feel inferior because of their faith.