The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has demanded an apology from Oyo State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Shittu, after rallying voters to vote only for Muslim candidates in the 2027 elections, claiming that Christian candidates are a menace to Islam.

Mr Shittu, who is representing Saki West had made the remarks while addressing voters at a recent gathering in Oyo State, calling on them to support Muslim candidates and reject Christian politicians. 

Reacting to the remarks on Monday, Joseph John Hayab, the chairman of the NCA told the Peoples Gazette that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must order him to withdraw his ‘divisive’ campaign statement.

“By his word he is telling the electorate that he will punish those who are not his religion.The Governor of his state and Mr president should openly distance themselves from this short sighted politician who lacks maturity.

“His party should take a bold step to ask him to apologize, withdraw such a divisive campaign or resign because he will be a bad market for his party,” Mr Hayab stated. 

Speaking further, Mr Hayab warned Nigerians to be cautious of politics invoking religious sentiments for political purposes, arguing that it demonstrates they have nothing substantial to offer if they get elected. 

“Nigerians should be weary of this type of politician and politics. From the onset he has shown  he has nothing to offer the people. Nigerians are looking for patriots that will unite the country, not bigots like this candidate,” the NCA added. 

Human rights and civil society organisations have also condemned the campaign message of Mr Shittu, with Sanyaolu Juwon, the national coordinator of Take It Back Movement, describing the remarks as the general pattern of the APC to ensure the reelection of President Bola Tinubu. 

“The comment by Mr Shittu reflects the general pattern of the APC to ensure that President Tinubu returns unchallenged, God forbid. They have developed several strategies to which they intend to rig the Nigerian people in the forthcoming elections,” Mr Juwon told The Gazette.

He stressed that the strategy was to divide Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines, similar to what he claimed occurred during the 2023 elections.

“Part of this strategy is an attempt to divide the Nigerian people along ethno-religious lines. And these were the tribal cards they played in the 2023 general elections. 

“Nigerians should not allow themselves to be pushed around by politicians who intend to divide them by ethnic lines but should focus on issues that bind us together such as poverty and insecurity,” the human rights activist noted.

Oyo State coordinator of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, Abiodun Bamigboye, also maintained the same position. 

He stated religious and ethnic divisions are tactics routinely deployed by bogus politicians during election cycles.

“It is not surprising. It is the characteristic of bogus politicians to always take the available divisions among the working people in the society in order to get themselves into the position of power. 

“What are these available divisions? It could be religious, it could be ethnic, it could be age. Take for instance, we have had politicians in the past who would say that they vote for Yoruba candidates as if they are going to represent only the Yoruba race once they get to power,” Mr Bamigboye said.