The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu, has urged Nigerians to reject identity politics and hold political leaders accountable based on competence, service delivery and respect for human rights.
Ojukwu made the call in a statement while reacting to comments allegedly made by Sheik Sani Jingir on Sunday.
He said the commission was concerned by what he described as the cleric’s open advocacy for religiously exclusive politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Ojukwu, Jingir also used derogatory language while urging his supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.
The NHRC boss described the remarks as an attack on the principles of equality, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
Ojukwu said the commission considered the comments to constitute hate speech and incitement to religious hatred, with the potential to trigger 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.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services and other relevant authorities to investigate, arrest and prosecute Jingir over the alleged hate speech and incitement.
Ojukwu stressed that any prosecution should be pursued regardless of the accused person’s status or political affiliation, saying this would serve as a deterrent to others seeking to exploit religion for political gain during the election period.
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He further urged religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians to refrain from inflammatory and divisive rhetoric capable of undermining peaceful coexistence.
The NHRC executive secretary called on Nigerians to focus on issues of governance, competence, accountability and respect for fundamental rights rather than religious or ethnic identity when assessing political leaders.
, Dr Tony Ojukwu, has urged Nigerians to reject identity politics and hold political leaders accountable based on competence, service delivery and respect for human rights.){kind=link}