Religion and politics in Nigeria: a constructive interrogation

Abstract

This study is a constructive interrogation on mix religion and politics in Nigeria. It examined how religion has impacted on Nigeria politics. The study argues that the way Islam was introduced into Northern Nigeria and its domineering influence in the socio-political and economic lives of the people is the root cause of the present inters-religious tensions that threatens the peace and unity of the country. The paper argues forcefully that mix religion and politics has undermined the Nigeria's effort to build enduring multireligious democratic society and sustain peace and unity of the country. The paper x-rayed the Mix religion and politics in the light of the growing phenomenon of religious extremism and religious motivated violence in the country. John Lock's theory of Religious Toleration and Accommodation of Religious Belief and Practice, was adopted as the intellectual framework of analysis. Secondary sources of data were used and data was contently and descriptively analyzed. The study finds that mix religion and politics in Nigeria have been a major source of political instability and violence and have polarized the country along religious lines. The study recommends among others that for Nigerians to live together amicable and for democracy to survive in the country, religion should be completely divorce from politics, that all the religious groups should practices religious tolerance and use the best virtues of their faith for the development of the country, that Nigeria government should evolve credible strategy to checkmate increasing religious intolerance in the country.