NHRC demands arrest of Sheikh Jingir over alleged hate speech ahead of 2027 polls

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir for alleged hate speech and incitement in a viral video from Sunday. According to News Arrest, the NHRC stated Jingir appeared to support religiously exclusive politics, used the term “infidels,” and urged supporters to obtain Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to show their limits. The commission made this demand on Tuesday in a statement signed by Executive Secretary Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN.

NHRC warned the remarks threaten Nigeria’s constitutional principles of equality, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence, and could incite violence during the 2027 election period. It stated such utterances are “reckless and dangerous” and could embolden other religious leaders to make similar divisive comments. The commission urged the Inspector General of Police, DSS Director General and other agencies to arrest and prosecute Jingir regardless of status or political affiliation to serve as a deterrent.

NHRC also called on religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians to avoid inflammatory statements, and urged Nigerians to reject identity-based politics by assessing candidates based on competence, performance, service delivery and respect for human rights. It pledged to monitor the situation with security agencies, INEC and civil society groups to help ensure peaceful 2027 elections.

With elections approaching, will you evaluate political candidates based on their track record and commitment to national unity rather than religious or ethnic identity?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/11/arrest-prosecute-sheikh-jingir-over-alleged-hate-speech-nhrc/