To the African, life is essentially incomplete without the role religion plays in his/her existence. Religion before the advent of Christianity or Islam among the peoples of Nigeria for instance, gave meaning to who they were and their purpose on earth. Birth, life, and death had religious underpinnings. So, a name given to a newly born, when deciphered had and still has deep religious undertone. In the course, of an individual’s life the trajectory of a person’s existence either positive or otherwise will most likely be viewed from a spiritual cum religious angle. At the end of a person’s sojourn on earth, the transition on is given its religious interpretation, with the religious/religious conclusion made about the person’s actual purpose, while alive.
In other part of the world, people also hold religion dear to their hearts and lives some may argue. Thus the African cannot be the sole custodian of religious sobriety, who adores the role of the divine being and its numerous disciples or messengers above others. That is true, but the African as typified by the Nigerian seem to have taken religion to another level. There are fundamental reasons though.
Africa’s exposure to colonialism, both European and Arabian influenced, opened a new vista to how its people have come to embrace religion as an intrinsic part of their lives. Nigeria, the largest African country was soon to become a special case study in the way the people saw religion and used it, in making interpretation of their lives and destiny in general. Somehow, Nigerians are deeply religious and accredited as such, this recognition just goes back to a deeply religious heritage, which acted as the foundation and sustenance of premodern Nigerian societies. The search for redemption was usually sought through spiritual and religious means, thus when Nigerians decided to free themselves from the colonial shackles, they were not too short of inspiration among others, on how to make the connection. The Nigerian church particularly was very prominent.
Post-independence, there is a strong identity which all Nigerians place on religion be it Christianity or Islam. Interactions, relationships, and even political considerations have a religious bias to them. Politicians on their part have been savvy enough, not to be outplayed in this equation. Politics being a game of numbers, is recognised by politicians more than the electorate that make the numbers. In most developing countries enlightenment is a major challenge where practical education and literacy is at an abysmal level. Nigeria is yet to get out of this trap and as such the political class has taken good advantage of the people, of using the religious card to their advantage.
During the era of regional governments in Nigeria, prior to full blown political independence the fear of the Koran being dipped in the Atlantic Ocean in the south simply meant that the southern part of Nigerian would ultimately become ”Islamised” by the northern dominated parties if they are allowed inroads into the south. Politicians of southern extraction sold this narrative to their electorate, and out of fear of losing their identity and being ‘’overrun by foreign influences’’, such scenarios were resisted. A sort of political masterstroke was successfully orchestrated and sustained up till today. However, it is important to note that the shadow of religion as the bogeyman, loomed large over the political firmament across the country. Northern Muslim politicians were also quoted as referring to political influence from the south as that of the infidels, which must not be allowed.
In political discourse, policy pronouncements are mostly not strongly emphasised on the political agenda. That might probably expose some politicians for not having much to offer, but at the same time the easiest way to get across was just to stoke the religious biases of people, knowing the role it plays in the life of the average voter. So, pandering to the masses rather than solving the main challenges of the people were preferable to the political elite then. With time past, has the situation changed? Not really, the re-election of former President Jonathan in 2014, was said to have fallen flat on its feet because he is a Christian.
A school of thought pushed by some politicians claimed that late President Musa Yar’Adua tenure was cut short due to his sudden death and it was only fair that a northern Muslim, should conclude the Yar’Adua tenure. The Clergy with particular emphasis on the Pentecostal church, came to the rescue of President Jonathan, saying he was being persecuted because of his faith, and of course with many photo opportunities of laying of hands-on Jonathan, he was the anointed one. GEJ’s management of the economy was deliberately swept under the political carpet, that was not an issue. During the electioneering campaigns, policy thrust of the candidates or parties were drowned under the flood of religion and its tributaries.
In power, the politicians do not relent in pushing religion to entrench their hold on the people. Its only Nigeria that funds religious pilgrimages religiously, with huge budgetary allocations funding the Hajj and lesser Hajj both at state and federal level, aided by very elaborate bureaucracies. In Nigeria, religion is uniquely the opium of the people presently, in the absence of accelerated development, empowerment, and other societal indices. The political class feed the masses with more doses of reinforcing the religious card to suit their narrow political agenda. It seems to be working.
In Nigeria’s over sixty years of independence, the electorate has not been offered a religious free atmosphere to making well informed choices, largely based on issues which affects them. Nigerian politicians recognise religion as a major Faultline, but probably realise that seeking to be national leaders would probably require much hard work, where accountability and a look at their record of service will certainly have to come under closer scrutiny. However, they would rather go for short term alliances as a quick fix, only to resort to reigniting the religious flame afterwards.
Religion to majority of Nigerians is a convenient refuge it would seem. It provides them with the strength to carry on amid daily challenges and hoping that the future would turn out a bit brighter, no thanks to an overindulgent political class.
© Copyright, Olugbenga Adebanjo
Ojuriblog 