The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned political actors and religious leaders against the growing politicisation and weaponisation of religion ahead of the 2027 general elections. CISLAC, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the increasing use of religious platforms to mobilise……
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned political actors and religious leaders against the growing politicisation and weaponisation of religion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
CISLAC, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the increasing use of religious platforms to mobilise political support could undermine Nigeria’s democracy, national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
The organisation cautioned against using faith to manipulate voters, suppress critical thinking and divert attention from pressing issues of governance and development.
It said political campaigns should focus on critical priorities such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, poverty reduction, employment, security and accountability rather than religious sentiments and partisan endorsements.
CISLAC expressed particular concern over reports of large gatherings of religious leaders in parts of the North to endorse political figures and parties, citing reported instances linked to political activities in Plateau and Jigawa States.
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According to the organisation, such practices could reduce religious authority to an instrument of political patronage and electoral mobilisation.
“Religious leadership is a position of trust and moral guidance, not a commercial platform for vote canvassing or the promotion of political violence and intimidation,” CISLAC said.
It urged religious leaders to resist attempts by politicians to exploit their influence and instead use their platforms to demand accountability, justice, competent leadership and improved welfare for citizens.
The organisation also condemned the alleged intimidation of residents in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, where individuals were reportedly threatened with eviction if they failed to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
CISLAC described the alleged threats as a serious assault on citizens’ constitutional rights to freely choose their political representatives, participate in elections and reside peacefully in their communities.
“No political party, candidate or individual has the right to demand exclusive political loyalty from citizens under the threat of expulsion, intimidation or violence,” the organisation stated.
Rafsanjani called on the Federal Government, state governments, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other relevant regulatory authorities to take decisive action against the use of religious institutions and leaders for electoral manipulation, inducement, intimidation and the spread of falsehoods.
CISLAC also urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns and allow voters to scrutinise their records, policies, competence and capacity to deliver good governance.
The organisation appealed to citizens to reject attempts to use religion or ethnicity as a substitute for political accountability, stressing that religious sentiments should not distract voters from the socioeconomic challenges confronting their communities.
CISLAC warned that the continued commercialisation and weaponisation of religion for electoral gain could deepen divisions, undermine democratic institutions and threaten peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.
It reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring electoral developments and advocating for a democratic culture based on competence, transparency, accountability and the genuine interests of Nigerians.
