By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has cautioned politicians and religious leaders against turning faith into a tool for electoral manipulation, warning that the politicisation of religion could undermine democracy, national unity and peaceful coexistence.
CISLAC, in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the growing use of religious platforms to mobilise political support was capable of influencing voters through sentiment rather than informed consideration of candidates, policies and governance records.
The organisation maintained that electoral campaigns should focus on issues directly affecting citizens, including security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, employment, poverty reduction and accountability.
It expressed concern over reports of large gatherings of religious leaders in some northern states to endorse political candidates and parties, citing reported political activities in Plateau and Jigawa States as examples of developments requiring closer attention.
According to CISLAC, the trend risks compromising the moral authority of religious institutions by transforming them into platforms for 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,” the organisation stated.
CISLAC urged religious leaders to safeguard the integrity of their institutions by resisting attempts by politicians to exploit their influence for electoral advantage.
Rather than endorsing candidates, it advised religious leaders to use their platforms to demand competent leadership, accountability, justice and improved living conditions for citizens.
The organisation also raised alarm over alleged intimidation of residents in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, where some individuals were reportedly threatened with eviction for refusing to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It described the alleged threats as a serious violation of citizens’ constitutional rights to freely choose their political representatives and participate in elections without coercion or intimidation.
“No political party, candidate or individual has the right to demand exclusive political loyalty from citizens under the threat of expulsion, intimidation or violence,” CISLAC said.
Rafsanjani consequently called on the Federal Government, state governments, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other relevant authorities to take firm action against electoral practices involving religious manipulation, inducement, intimidation and the spread of misinformation.
He further urged political parties and candidates to prioritise issue-based campaigns and allow voters to assess them based on their records, programmes, competence and capacity to deliver effective governance.
CISLAC also appealed to Nigerians to reject attempts to exploit religious or ethnic sentiments as substitutes for political accountability.
The organisation stressed that voters should remain focused on the socioeconomic challenges confronting their communities and demand measurable solutions from political actors.
It warned that the continued weaponisation and commercialisation of religion for electoral purposes could deepen existing divisions, weaken democratic institutions and threaten peaceful coexistence.
CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring electoral developments and promoting a democratic culture anchored on competence, transparency, accountability and the interests of citizens.
