Dual-edged sword of Nigeria’s political piety

Identity politics and deep-seated divisions have severely hindered good governance in Nigeria since the start of the Fourth Republic, making friction between faith and public office unavoidable.

While some critics view religion as an imported tool of deception, its impact on society remains undeniable. To understand this dynamic, we must look at how key concepts are defined. Sociologist Émile Durkheim described religion as a unified system of sacred beliefs that binds a community together, while political scientist Harold Lasswell famously defined politics as the struggle over “who gets what, when, and how”. As a religiously diverse nation, Nigeria features Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion—alongside various smaller groups—constantly competing for recognition and influence.

This intersection of faith and governance is debated globally. The British-American philosopher T.S. Eliot once warned that democratic societies rejecting religious tradition risk falling into tyranny and cultural fragmentation. Conversely, nations like France strictly separate church and state, recently banning religious garments like hijabs and turbans in schools to maintain secularism despite student protests.

Regardless of one’s personal perspective on faith, the intersection of religion and politics in Nigeria remains a powerful force that has long shaped political discourse, as researchers have frequently observed. Fundamentally, religion shapes Nigerian politics through three main avenues: religious figures’ active participation in governance, the blurring of lines between faith and state, and the alignment of government policies with theological doctrines. Nigeria exhibits all three characteristics, rendering its religious and political spheres deeply intertwined.

On the positive side, religious values can instil a strong ethical compass in leaders, encouraging honesty, justice, charity, and advocacy for the vulnerable. Shared spiritual principles can unite citizens and foster social solidarity, while the idea of divine accountability can theoretically deter corruption.

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Conversely, merging faith with governance can marginalise religious minorities and non-believers, undermining inclusivity. In Nigeria, politicians often exploit religious identities and sentiments to manipulate electorates, consolidate power, and deflect public criticism of poor performance.

Ultimately, completely separating religion from politics in Nigeria is an unrealistic goal. However, as the saying goes, too much cooking spoils the broth; excessive religious entanglement can ruin governance. Institutional intervention is urgently needed—through bodies like the National Orientation Agency—to systematically re-educate both political actors and religious leaders on maintaining healthy boundaries.

• Darlington Nwauju & Dr Desmond Okocha write from Port Harcourt