Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Northern Nigeria Minorities Group (NNMG) has cautioned religious leaders, specifically pastors and imams, against partisan political involvement and using places of worship as platforms for political mobilisation.
​Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Abuja, the Convener of the NNMG, Jacob Edi (also known as Kakaki Bassange), urged clerics to focus strictly on their spiritual mandate of promoting peace, tolerance, and national unity rather than taking sides in electoral contests.
​”Politics is for politicians, religion is for pastors and imams. They should pray for this nation, for its peace and unity,” Edi declared. “If any cleric wants to come into politics, he should remove the pastoral garment or the jalabia and join a political party to pursue his ambitions.”
​Representing over 200 minority ethnic communities across Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the group stressed that Nigeria remains a constitutional republic rather than a theocracy.
NNMG highlighted that inflammatory political statements delivered from minbars and pulpits threaten to heighten ethno-religious tensions and expose ordinary citizens to electoral violence.
Furthermore, the group cautioned opposition politicians against employing destabilising rhetoric or suggesting the nation could become ungovernable, insisting that all political grievances must be addressed strictly through constitutional and judicial channels.
​The NNMG concluded by reaffirming its dedication to fostering equity, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence as the country gradually approaches the next general election cycle.
