Christian, Muslim Leaders in Nigeria’s Plateau State Reject Efforts To “Weaponize Religion” Ahead of 2027 Polls
Our Reporter
The top Muslim and Christian bodies in Jos East Local Government Area have jointly rejected attempts to drag religion into local politics, warning that “faceless individuals” are trying to exploit faith for political gain ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
In a joint press conference on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, leaders of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Jos East Chapters said elections must be decided on “integrity, competence and track record” not religious identity.
The religious leaders were responding to two separate letters that surfaced in June and July from groups claiming to represent Jos East Muslims.
One, from a group calling itself the “Jos East LGA Indigenous Muslim Political Forum Loyal Members of the APC,” asked Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to reverse the candidacy of Rt. Hon. Madaki Isa Ajiji, Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, for Jos East constituency in 2027.
Another, from a “Muslim Youth Political Forum, Jos East,” made a similar demand on July 12.
JNI and JIBWIS, the recognized Muslim leadership in the area, said in a June 30 disclaimer that neither group exists within the “legitimate structures of the Muslim Ummah in Jos East.”
They described the groups as “suspicious, deceptive and misleading” and an attempt to “create a false impression of religious discord where peace and harmony presently exist.”
JNI Chairman Mallam Ibrahim Abdu noted the second group is reportedly headed by a retired civil servant “over sixty years of age and resides in Bauchi State,” questioning its credibility.
The joint statement defended Ajiji, an APC lawmaker, saying his 2023 election was secured through “the collective support, trust, and votes of Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths across Jos East.”
“We recognize his leadership as a reflection of the democratic will of the people, earned through years of dedicated, effective, and inclusive public service,” the leaders said.
They added that Ajiji has provided “inclusive, equitable, and people-centred representation without discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.”
The two religious bodies issued three directives stating that religion must not be weaponized for politics adding that religious institutions should focus on peace and moral values, not “political blackmail or manipulation.”
They also advocated respect for constitutional rights emphasizing that every citizen has the right to belong to any party and vote for any candidate.
The reiterated that religious leaders “will never compel any member to pursue the political interests of any individual or group.”
According to the leaders, questions of zoning and rotation of offices are “internal political matters” for local actors, not the governor or religious bodies.
CAN Chairman Rev. Ishaya Azi and Mallam Abdu said support for leaders should be based on “integrity, competence, fairness, and measurable developmental achievements.”
The leaders also commended Governor Mutfwang for infrastructure projects in Jos East, specifically the ongoing Fobur–Federe–Angware Road and NDLEA–Zarazon–Fobur Road.
They “reaffirmed our confidence in the administration” and pledged continued support.
The religious leaders called on residents to “remain calm, united, and focused” and to “choose peace over conflict, unity over division, performance over propaganda.”
Plateau State, in Nigeria’s central “Middle Belt,” has experienced repeated cycles of communal violence often framed along Christian-Muslim lines.
Religious leaders have increasingly sought to present a united front to prevent politicians from exploiting those divisions during election cycles.
Jos East Constituency is currently represented by Deputy Speaker Madaki Isa Ajiji of the APC.
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