The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has warned that inflammatory religious rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections could create an environment conducive to extremism, while faulting the Presidency for failing to publicly condemn recent remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir.

Jingir had reportedly urged continued adoption of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 elections and called on Muslims to “show the infidels their limit” during a mass wedding ceremony in Kano.

The event was attended by prominent political leaders, including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi.

In a statement issued on Thursday, CHRICED Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, described the cleric’s remarks as “incendiary and deeply troubling,” warning that such rhetoric could further deepen Nigeria’s religious and political fault lines.

CHRICED said it was particularly concerned about the use of the word “infidels” to describe fellow Nigerians of other faiths, arguing that such language was inconsistent with the principles of peaceful coexistence.

The organisation also warned that inflammatory religious rhetoric had historically contributed to an atmosphere in which extremist movements could thrive.

“It is precisely such incendiary rhetoric that has, in the past, fuelled extremist movements like Boko Haram and other violent groups that continue to threaten Nigeria’s stability,” the group said.

CHRICED stressed that Sheikh Jingir did not speak for the majority of Nigerian Muslims, many of whom, it said, were themselves bearing the consequences of economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and poverty.

The organisation argued that political leadership should be determined by competence, integrity, accountability and service rather than religious identity.

CHRICED expressed concern over what it described as the failure of the Presidency and the governors who attended the Kano event to publicly condemn Jingir’s remarks.

“It is equally disturbing that neither the presidency nor the governors present at the event have publicly denounced Sheikh Jingir’s divisive rhetoric,” the organisation said.

According to CHRICED, silence from political leaders at a time of heightened political and religious tension could lend legitimacy to dangerous rhetoric.

The group also referenced a recent remark attributed to Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to the FCT Minister, concerning the use of the term “infidels,” as well as a statement it attributed to President Bola Tinubu during an engagement with Catholic bishops.

CHRICED warned that the country could not afford to ignore inflammatory rhetoric as the 2027 elections approach.

It described the current situation as a “dangerous precedent,” arguing that Nigeria had witnessed similar provocative statements in the past, with public outrage often failing to translate into decisive action.

It called on political leaders across party and religious lines to publicly reject religious exclusion and inflammatory statements.

The organisation urged Nigerians to reject attempts to divide the country along religious lines and demand leadership based on credibility, competence, accountability and service. (The Guardian)

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