Sheikh Muhammadu Sani Yahaya Jingir, a prominent Islamic cleric in northern Nigeria, faces calls for arrest and prosecution after he described Christians and other non-Muslims as “infidels” and urged Muslims to use their votes to preserve Muslim political control.

In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asked the inspector general of police, the director general of the Department of State Services, and other federal authorities to arrest and prosecute Jingir for alleged hate speech and incitement.

Authorities had not announced Jingir’s arrest or filed public charges against him at the time of publication.

Jingir made the remarks on Sunday, Aug. 9, during the “Abba Go Again” campaign for Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Addressing supporters in the predominantly Muslim state, he urged Muslims to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and support candidates running on Muslim-Muslim political tickets.

“Let’s show the infidels their limit, who claim they are more populous than us in Nigeria,” Jingir said. “They are lying!”

Nigeria’s census does not record religious affiliation, and no current official data establishes whether Christians or Muslims constitute a national majority. Muslims predominate across much of northern Nigeria, Christians predominate in much of the south, and both communities live across the country’s Middle Belt.

A Broken Tradition

Jingir praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he called his “political hero,” for contesting the 2023 presidential election with another Muslim.

“I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for a Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he said.

Tinubu, a Muslim from southern Nigeria, selected Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from northeastern Nigeria, as his running mate. The ticket broke with the informal practice through which Nigeria’s major political parties have often chosen one Christian and one Muslim for the country’s two highest elected offices.

Jingir told his audience that the Muslim-Muslim arrangement should continue because it demonstrated what he described as the numerical strength of Muslims.

“If not because of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, the Christians in Nigeria will think they are more than us,” he said. “This is why we must make sure the Muslim-Muslim ticket continues to succeed so that our dominance remains sustained.”

When addressing objections that the arrangement could exclude Christians and other non-Muslims, Jingir asked, “Are you their spokesperson?”

“As a Muslim, I repeat it, Muslim-Muslim!” he said. “No going back on this.”

Jingir then declared that he would vote for Muslim candidates and asked members of the audience how they intended to vote.

He also alleged that people responsible for bombing a mosque during the period associated with the Maitatsine movement were “Christians in disguise.” He presented no evidence to support the allegation. The Maitatsine movement carried out violent uprisings in northern Nigeria during the 1980s.

The NHRC said on X that Jingir’s statements targeted the constitutional principles of equality, non-discrimination, and peaceful coexistence.

“The Commission finds these remarks to be hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence,” NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu said. “At a time when we are preparing for another general election, such utterances are reckless and dangerous.”

Looking Ahead

The commission called for action before other religious leaders and political figures adopted similar language before the 2027 elections.

“We cannot afford to look away,” the NHRC said. “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.”

Jingir chairs the Council of Ulama of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, widely known as JIBWIS or the Izala movement. The Sunni reform movement has followers across northern and central Nigeria.

The Jos-based cleric regularly speaks about politics, education, security, and religion. He has previously opposed Boko Haram’s interpretation of jihad and called on kidnappers to repent. His statements about religious identity and political power have also drawn criticism from Christian and Muslim leaders.

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso rejected Jingir’s comments and said Kano residents did not support religiously divisive rhetoric. Femi Fani-Kayode, a Christian political ally of Tinubu, also criticized the statements.

Nigeria’s Constitution prevents federal and state governments from adopting an official religion. It also protects freedom of worship and prohibits discrimination based on religious belief.

As political parties prepare for the 2027 elections, they must again decide whether to balance their presidential tickets between Christians and Muslims. Police and security officials must also decide whether to act on the NHRC’s request concerning Jingir.

To read more news stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email us. To support ICC’s work around the world, please give to our Where Most Needed Fund.