THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday, August 11, called for the arrest of Islamic cleric, Yahya Jingir, over his reference to Christians as ‘infidels’ in his recent remarks on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, who made the call in a press statement, urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) and other relevant authorities “to immediately arrest and prosecute Sheikh Yahaya Jingir for hate speech and incitement.”
Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said Jingir’s arrest will serve as an example to individuals who would want to exploit religion for political gain, describing his remarks as insensitive at a time Nigeria is preparing for next year’s general elections.
NHRC described Jingir’s outburst as divisive and an attack on the principles of equality, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution, saying: “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.”
Ojukwu urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, and politicians to refrain from divisive rhetoric, reaffirming NHRC’s commitment to working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in ensuring that the coming elections are free and fair.
Recall that Jingir, who is the National Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, recently restated his support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, describing President Bola Tinubu as his “political hero” for introducing the ticket in 2023, urging Muslims to support similar arrangements ahead of the general elections.
In his remarks on Saturday, August 1, at a mass wedding celebration organised and sponsored by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, said: “I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“But as a Muslim, I repeat it, Muslim-Muslim! No going back on this.”
Speaking in Hausa, he added: “I am one of those who raise the flag of Islam. I am calling on people to come and let us do Muslim-Muslim again.”
Describing Nigeria as a Muslim-majority country and criticising those who reject his claim, Jangir stressed: “I know this statement pains the unbelievers. I am a Muslim who preaches Islam. If I say Muslim-Muslim, what have I taken away from them?
“… 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,” referring to the APC’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
