In the whole of Africa, one country stands out as the most religious, surprisingly however, the same nation is also known to be the most corrupt.

To this extend, we are still searching for theories which can juxtapose these two facts and probably establish a strong correlation between the two. Corruption has bred violence, vandalism electoral malpractice, robbery, moral decadence and many others vices you can possibly thing of. In the midst of all these, Government (the three tiers) is seen to be entangled in a very romantic relationship with religion. In other words, religion takes a centre stage in almost every decision or policy the government intends to make. The saddest part for Nigeria is that it has two major religions, Islam and Christianity, and it strives so hard to please either of the two or both of them. Many individuals have used the weapon of religion to canvass power and wield influence over common citizens.

In the whole of Africa, one country stands out as the most religious, surprisingly however, the same nation is also known to be the most corrupt.

To this extend, we are still searching for theories which can juxtapose these two facts and probably establish a strong correlation between the two. Corruption has bred violence, vandalism electoral malpractice, robbery, moral decadence and many others vices you can possibly thing of. In the midst of all these, Government (the three tiers) is seen to be entangled in a very romantic relationship with religion. In other words, religion takes a centre stage in almost every decision or policy the government intends to make. The saddest part for Nigeria is that it has two major religions, Islam and Christianity, and it strives so hard to please either of the two or both of them. Many individuals have used the weapon of religion to canvass power and wield influence over common citizens.

Now the bond between religion and government has become so strong, almost inextricably connected like siamese twins. Of all sentiments borne in Nigeria, religious sentiments appear to be the worst and most destructive. Little wonder, it characterized the imbalance of 2011 Presidential elections and the violent killings thereafter, it also informed the basis for another form of militant insurrection especially in the Northern part of the country. In most of the pretentious dialogues, political and religious leaders would rise to claim that there is one ‘God’ or ‘god’ (I’m still confused about the god) however, an alien or atheist would quickly conclude that there is one violent, self-contradicting god in Nigeria or there are two gods battling for supremacy. Well, that conundrum would be for another day but the big question is, can we separate religion from government and look at Nigeria as it really is? Yes we can!

Already, religion has been over pampered in this country. And if the adherents of these religions have the sincerity of purpose, most of our negative vices would be fought from pulpits and prayer grounds. Instead, we observe with dismay as the same people who have ruined this nation are constantly being elevated to higher positions within Christendom or Islam. I believe it’s high time we moved for the separation of religion from government or at least pay infinitesimal attention to religion. For instance, I still can’t understand why government should be saddled with the cumbersome task of sponsoring pilgrims to the acclaimed ‘holy lands’. According to CAN’s recent report on the 2012 pilgrimage, at least 16,000 Christians have been sponsored to Israel.
After presenting the report, the CAN president urged the government to do more. The report for muslim pilgrims is yet to be presented, however, we can safely assume that more than 20,000 muslims have been sponsored on pilgrimage. The barest minimum cost spent on each pilgrim is about 500,000 Naira. You will be dazed by the startling figures you will see by the time you finish punching the keypad of your calculator. Without any sentiments, permit me to say that huge resources are being wasted here. Besides, there is no ‘holyometer’ (pardon my coinage) to determine who are the most spiritually competent persons to visit the ‘holy lands’ – if the lands are still holy – instead a political gauge is being used and most party faithfuls find themselves aboard planes heading to the middle east.

The next is that government should find another use for the edifices erected in Aso Villa and state government houses as chaplaincies or mosques. The cleric employed in these government house Churches or mosques are simply recruited to endorse every decision of the government alone and not to view things from the common citizen’s perspective. I guess sycophants are doing enough of that already, as such it is needless to have a spiritual backup to perform nefarious acts. Our prayer as Nigerians is in the National Anthem and the National Pledge. On the contrary, most government officials are interested in long prayers and incantations at the beginning or end meetings regarding national issues. The National Anthem and Pledge are usually downplayed at corporate gatherings; I wasn’t surprised when some ministerial nominees were unable to sing the first or second stanza of the anthem or recite the pledge. I believe a very meaningful prayer is contained in the National Anthem and pledge, as such, calling on any mallam or pastor to pray at such meetings is not so relevant.

Laws should be promulgated to regulate or even abolish giving of gifts from the state coffers during religious holidays. You will be surprised how much the government spends annually to purchase gifts for some individuals in the name of Christians, sallah, Easter etc. some even call it bonuses. Even if government desires to dole out gifts to the less privileged, it can do so at any other time not until during festive seasons. On the whole, when we de-emphasize religiosity in our in our government, we are invariably relegating religious sentiments and also giving Nigerians a chance to look truly Nigerian without my religious colouring while affirming the freedom of worship without infringing on others” or being infringed upon.

by Bizum Yadok

Bizum is a current affairs commentator and political analyst who writes for ViewPointNigeria from Jos.

count | 14

The imperative of separating religion from Governance by Bizum Yadok