Why The Religious Politics Trigger In Nigeria

Timkat Peter

Religious Politics has been opposing by many Nigerians in the political space due to panerial killing of innocent citizens by terrorists known as Boko Haram. Most of the killing of innocent citizens by Boko Haram have documented evidence claimed from religious perspectives.

Nigeria as a country have lost thousands of its citizens as a result of religious crisis, Boko Haram attacks, and sectarian killing. Large number of Christians and Muslims were killed by Boko Haram whose claimed their beliefs in Islam. This has trigger high consideration in the choice leadership selection in Nigeria using religious based.

Sadly, there is continuing killing of innocent people in different political dispensation has raised concerned by Nigerians in choosing who should govern them. Religious backgrounds has become key consideration for political position rather than competency and capacity in Nigeria.

Many people condemned choice of Muslim-Muslim ticket by All Progressives Congress (APC) for Presidential election. It is assumed that the APC is playing a same faith religious card in a complex country like Nigeria. It should be an inclusive ticket that combines both faith in playing it political card for Presidential position.

Many Nigerians fuelling the anger about the Muslim-Muslim ticket is because of the escalation of terrorist attacks by Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria. Both Muslims and Christians have been victims of the terror. But the popular impression among Christians is that they have been the most targeted for persecution and Islamisation agenda.

It is well known fact that religion is a way of life for many people in Nigeria. It has a direct impact on their social and political decisions. The danger here is that a religious community could insist on voting one of their own members into office even though the candidate is generally considered to be a misfit. This is where competency and character has been jeopardised.

Additionally, the inter-religious conflict could be ignited if one religious group rejects the candidate of another, or if a politician mobilises his religious community against his opponent in another religion. Religion could be used to mobilise ethnic support against political competitions from other groups. Nigeria is not only multi-religious but also multi-ethnic. The country has witnessed many incidents of conflicts along ethno-religious line. The civil war of 1967-1970 was the most catastrophic that accumulated losses to economic development.

Similarly, there’s the threat that citizens could be excluded from the political process. If a religious community, by virtue of numbers, is allowed to dominate the political space, it could prevent minorities from having a say and being represented in government. Nigeria has substantial numbers of indigenous religious practitioners and a growing atheist community. Any of them might feel excluded by the dominant Muslim-Christian politics.

It is very important to incorporate the leaders of a variety of religious communities into government and political parties. Religious leaders can educate their followers to support any politician irrespective of their religious differences.

Religious tolerance is also necessary. Tolerance promotes inter-religious understanding, which in turn helps people to respect each other’s political choices.

Nigerian government composition need inclusive governance that encompasses all faith on both. There should be consideration on competency and character. This is to ensure peaceful coexistence in Nigeria among different ethnic groups and religious institutions.