Aftermath of
By Sani Danaudi Mohammed
The event of Nigeria’s independence gave an appearance of the dawn of a united and indivisible nation.But in fact it was more of a carry-over from the colonial period of the divisions, fears, and animosities among the various segments of the national polity. At best, independence was a nationalization of factional groups, each of which saw itself first and foremost as defined through its respective ethno-religious basis, prior to other considerations.Today ,We have found ourselves in the capitalist world economy, which simultaneously generated a corresponding cadre of Muslim as well as Christian office-holders-cum-bureaucrats.This inherited narratives of exclusion will definitely form the priorities of the New Administration of the APC Government to curtail what had been itching Nigerians for over 62 years after independence.
Religion and Ethnicity values have profound influence on Nigerian electorates.They are inclined to identify and associate themselves with their Faith and ethnicity before Nationality.The human society itself is a collection of economic,Social and political activities of individuals. This gives them access to the basic necessities of life.Thus, man by nature is a dependent creature,who depends on his environment and others within it for food,Shelter and clothing.
Therefore,no group or human community,no matter its level of development can be an island unto itself.This may be the reason why Nigerians are fussed to their religion or ethnic sentiments.
The just Concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections will go down in history as the most influenced by both Islamic and Christian Clerics who have been complicits in fanning the embers of religious exclusion and intolerance.They have reduced sermons to political gatherings as Nigerians awaits video clips of Pronouncements that go for or against their prefer Candidates and their Political Parties.The narrative of exclusion been sold against the Tinubu/Shettima Presidency has finally been buried with the surgeon of Mr Peter Obi into the political terrain of Nigeria.
Obi’s style of campaign Capitalized on the sense of alienation among the South East region and discontent among Some Christians Particularly in the North due to increase misunderstanding and misconceptions been paraded Over the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket. In fact, in the North, Mr. Obi concentrated his campaign on Churches in states with a large Population of Christians and Igbos.Just like some Islamic Clerics were furious about M.M Ticket,the story is not different from some Christians Pastors and Reverends who stood on the side of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate.
On the other hand,the former Vice President and the PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar candidacy was challenged by Some Members of his Party led by the Executive Governor of Rivers State Nyeson Wike.The demand for Ayu resignation from Office who eventually came from the same region with the party’s Presidential Candidate was to pave the way for a regional balancing.Kwankwanso with a strong based in Kano State picked running mate Pastor Isaac Idahosa to balance the religion and ethnicity bigotries been sold against the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.The labour Party, People Democratic Party,New Nigeria People Party and the rulling All Progressive Congress,none have been shielded from playing to the gallery of either religion,regional and ethnicity bigotries in the last elections.
The major paradox in Nigeria is that it looks like the more religious institutions we build in Nigeria, the more denominations and sects we create, the worse we become morally. Corruption in Nigeria, for example, which is preached against by most (if not all) religious groups, seems to be growing in tandem with our religious expansion. And endemic corruption has severely compromised Nigeria’s growth and development. Violence and all forms of criminality have been growing as our churches and mosques grow.
Poor work-ethic and consequent low productivity continue to doug our economic land space. Poor governance and poverty have increased along the same scale as the growth in worship centres in Nigeria.In fact, in Nigeria, people are now stealing and killing in the name of religion even though such dubious actions has no place in the teachings of the holy books.This development has led many to begin to query the impact of religion on our moral tone and economic well being. They seem to be pointing to atheistic nations as Japan, China and Australia as having better moral tone and registering better growth and development than Nigeria where most people practices one form of religion or another.
Ohuabunwa Once Said,There has been this argument as to whether Nigeria is a secular or non-secular state, religious or non-religious nation. A secular state is a state which purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion. A secular state also claims to treat all its citizens equally regardless of religion and claims to avoid preferential treatment for a citizen from a particular religion/non religion over other religions/ non religion.Secular states do not have a state religion and this defines the Nigerian State where religion is a belief rather than a political platform.
Thomas Hobbes sees religion and its divisiveness as a source of political instability, and so he argues that the sovereign has the right to determine which opinions may be publicly espoused and disseminated, a power necessary for maintaining civil peace.The relation between religion and politics continues to be an important theme in Nigeria political philosophy,despite the emergent consensus (both among political theorists and in practical political contexts, such as the United Nations) on the right to freedom of conscience and on the need for some sort of separation between religion and Governance.Religions often make strong claims on people’s allegiance,and universal religions make these claims on all people, rather than just a particular community.
For example,Islam has traditionally held that all people owe obedience to Allah’s will.Thus, it is probably inevitable that religious commitments will sometimes come into conflict with the demands of politics. But religious beliefs and practices also potentially support politics in many ways.The extent and form of this support is as important to political philosophers as is the possibility for conflict. Moreover, there has been a growing interest in minority groups and the political rights and entitlements they are due. One result of this interest is substantial attention given to the particular concerns and needs of minority groups who are distinguished by their religion, as opposed to ethnicity, gender, or wealth.
In recent time, Religion had been politicized and reduced to bread and butter organisation by some of its self-serving clerics by pinching their support to a particular Candidate, thereby derailing from its constitutional obligations of being a father to all shades of opinions.This unhealthy attitudes,open declaration of support and Campaigns for Politicians in podium is gradually wiping away their status of been the men of God to agents of the Political elites.Now that,the elections have been won and lost,Some of them are now burying their heads in Shame with many of their prophecies going astray.
As religious leaders who communicate directly to million of Nigerians who are either Muslim or Christians,they should take into account of the importance and roles of communication in Peace building and safeguarding the Unity of Nigeria.These should form the basis of their sermons and preachings instead of the turning our Mosques and Churches to political rallies.
The ability of Nigerians to communicate with each other is perhaps the most fundamental aspect of the country’s sustainable Peace and development.The diverse nature of human society underscores the deep-seated need for communication and it is against the backdrop that language used in public gatherings must be recognized to be of paramount importance and seen as a unifying factor.
The great task before the President elect is to urgently deal with this syndrome that played out in the just Concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections. As a Pan Nigerian by marriage, business and politics lived tight and neck between these two dominant religion in Nigeria.As a devoted Muslim,he is married to a Senior Pastor and has worked all his life by preaching the gospel of building bridges across boards which gave him an easy ride to the 2023 Presidency.The Survival of Nigeria as an entity is certainly his priorities and unless these religious and ethnic Champions are call to order,the future will not reward us with a gold.
As the race for Senate Presidency and Speakership of the 10th Assembly begins,these will be a ground test for Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu and the rulling All Progressive Congress in his quest to restore the confidence of all the of all Nigerians.His acceptance Speech was quite enlightened and educative,The assertion that he is no more Batified but Atikulated ,Obedient and Kwankwasiya spoke on his level of readiness to build a country that work for all that voted for and against him.These words and Commitment he made are already dusting tensions in the Country,this means his victory is for all the Nigerian People of all faiths as against the narrative of exclusion been peddled around that ,a particular religion or section of the country won.
The Jagaban himself will not be toy and cannot be carried away by those insinuations but he will be guided by the mandate given to him by Nigerians from all the length and breath of the country.The Muslim-Muslim is nothing where democracies works and this victory of the APC had brought an end to the Politics of Religion, regionalism and ethnicity bigotries. Asiwaju himself won the election not because of his Faith, apart been a Muslim,he has proved in words and in actions that he is a Pan Nigerian that priories the identity of Nigeria before his tribe,region or religion.I pray he succeeds,he success will end the current division and divisiveness in the country. As Nigerians, we should not fall the victims of the ineffective sermons of some of these clerics and long as our religion preaches Peace and love, We must Eschew the ongoing Religious Hatred Towards a Sustainable National Security.
Danaudi, National President of Arewa Youths Advocate for Peace Unity Initiative Writes from Bauchi via danaudicomrade@gmail.com