Petition Seeks Investigation into Alleged Use of Religious Identity in Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency Campaign

By NewsNexus

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency, Hon. Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged religious-based campaigning by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon. Innocent Umar Jabayang.

In a petition dated September 11, 2026 and addressed to the INEC Chairman in Abuja through the Commission’s Taraba State office, Maihanchi urged the electoral body to investigate a video allegedly showing Jabayang making a statement that referenced Christians in the context of the ongoing political contest.

According to the petition, Jabayang is heard in the video saying: “Mu Kirista mu muka sayar da kanmu, wai Jabayang ya janye,” which the petitioner translates as: “We Christians, we have sold ourselves; they say Jabayang has withdrawn.”

Maihanchi said he personally knows Jabayang and can identify him as the person speaking in the video.

The NDC candidate argued that the reference to “we Christians” in a political context raises concerns about the possible use of religious identity to influence or mobilise voters for or against a candidate.

The petition cited Section 101 of the Electoral Act, 2026, which, according to the petitioner, prohibits campaigning or broadcasting for or against a political party or candidate on the basis of religious, tribal or sectional considerations.

Maihanchi therefore asked INEC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the statement and determine whether it constitutes a violation of the Electoral Act.

He stressed that the complaint was not directed against Christianity, Islam, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), or any religious community, but specifically against what he described as the possible use of religious identity as an instrument of partisan electoral mobilisation.

The NDC candidate further maintained that the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency belongs equally to all its residents and that the election should be contested on the basis of issues, competence, character and capacity to serve.

Maihanchi said he had preserved the relevant video evidence and was prepared to submit the original electronic files, together with any necessary transcript or translation, to INEC upon request.

He urged the Commission to receive, investigate and take or recommend appropriate regulatory or enforcement action if a violation of the Electoral Act is established.

As of the time of publication, NewsNexus had not independently verified the full context of the video or obtained a response from Hon. Innocent Umar Jabayang regarding the allegation.

NewsNexus
Where Facts Matter