CISLAC Warns Against Religion Weaponisation in Nigeria

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a Nigerian civil society organization, issued a statement warning against the politicisation and weaponisation of religion in Nigeria's electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. Executive Director Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani cautioned political actors and religious leaders against exploiting faith to manipulate voters, suppress critical thinking, and divert attention from governance and development issues. CISLAC expressed concern over reported gatherings of religious leaders in parts of the North, including Plateau and Nigeria — Jigawa States, endorsing political figures and parties, which it said risks reducing religious authority to an instrument of political patronage. The organization also condemned alleged intimidation of residents in Nigeria — Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, where individuals were reportedly threatened with eviction if they failed to vote for the ruling Nigeria — All Progressives Congress (APC). CISLAC called on the Federal Government, state governments, the Nigeria — Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other regulatory authorities to take decisive measures against the use of religious institutions for electoral manipulation, inducement, intimidation, and dissemination of falsehoods. It urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns and citizens to reject attempts to use religion or ethnicity as a substitute for political accountability. CISLAC warned that continued commercialisation and weaponisation of religion for electoral gain could deepen divisions, undermine democratic institutions, and threaten peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.