The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the arrest of prominent Sunni Islamic scholar, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, over alleged hateful and inciting remarks made on Sunday.

A statement on Tuesday by Tony Ojukwu, the executive secretary of the commission, said the cleric’s open call for religiously exclusive politics ahead of the 2027 general elections and use of derogatory words like “infidel” are of grave concern.

Mr Ojukwu said the cleric’s remarks were a direct attack on the principles of equality, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

“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,” he said.

The human rights commission called on the inspector-general of police, the director-general of the State Security Service and other relevant authorities to promptly arrest and prosecute Mr Jingir for spewing hate speech and inciting remarks.

The commission called for an immediate prosecution of the cleric, without respect for status or political affiliation. It said the cleric’s prosecution would serve as a deterrent to others who may seek to exploit religion for political gain during the election period.

The NHRC boss urged religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians to refrain from making divisive rhetoric.

Mr Ojukwu also admonished Nigerians to reject identity politics and always hold leaders accountable based on competence, service delivery and respect for human rights.

“The commission will continue to monitor compliance and will engage with security agencies, INEC and civil society to ensure that the 2027 elections are free from hate and violence,” he stated.

Mr Jingir, who is the national chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, in a speech at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano government for 1,500 couples, urged Muslims to vote for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

“My candidate is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The president selected a Muslim as his vice. I am one of those who called people to support the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“I know some non-Muslims don’t like the word Muslim-Muslim. As a Muslim who preaches Islam, if I support Muslim-Muslim, what is my offence? What have I done wrong? I don’t stop anyone who believes or supports another candidate from doing the same,” Mr Jingir stated.