The Role of Religion in Nigerian Politics

THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN NIGERIAN POLITICS AND ITS SUSTAINABILITY FOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

Oluwaseun Olawale AFOLABI, PhD (in view) (Ibadan)

Institut Français de Recherche en Afique (IFRA) - Nigeria Research Fellow,

Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract
Nigeria has a pluralistic State has taken religion to a position of importance in every facet of her politics. The nation is the most populous country in West Africa vest with religious diversities: Christianity, Islam and Traditional Religion. These religions are intertwined with political activities in the country. The political office holders are misusing religion as a tool to get to power while religious leaders are mishandling it to get personal gain from those who hold public office. Thus, religion has been mostly used negatively in Nigerian politics since independence. The study explores how religion impulse has affected political development and how it can bring sustainable political development if used positively.
Keywords: religion; politics; religious violence; religious tolerance; sustainable political development

INTRODUCTION
There is an incontrovertible connection between religion and politics. While the actual role that religion plays in politics has remained debatable, the nexus between the two concepts has long been established. Religion does not make people good or bad. On the contrary, it is being used as an instrument of oppression and deceit in Nigeria. It appears that Nigerians have resigned themselves to fate and this is possibly further compounded by poverty, illiteracy, and lack of political education on the part of majority of Nigerians. This position is further aggravated by the general perception that politics is a dirty game and that only people that can deceive, manipulate, and greedily accumulate wealth are meant to participate (Egbewole, W. O. and Etudaiye, 2011). The number of religious people in Nigeria run into

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