By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA — Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to immediately arrest and prosecute Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, for hate speech and incitement.
The Commission, in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, said it condemned in strong terms “the hateful and inciting remarks” it said were made by the cleric in a viral video on Sunday.
The NHRC said it watched with grave concern as the cleric openly canvassed for religiously exclusive politics ahead of the general elections and used derogatory language referring to “infidels” while urging supporters to obtain voter cards to “show their limit.”
The rights body described the statements as a direct attack on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and peaceful coexistence guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
