An Examination of Ethno-Religious Influences on Political Behaviour and Governance in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examines the relationship between politics and ethno-religious, highlighting its potential impacts on the Nigerian political system. It reflected on the recurrent incidences of ethno-religious divide within the Nigerian body politics. The study is anchored on the Social Identity Theory to explain how individuals or groups derive part of the identity from the irreligious affiliation, leading them to favour political actors and policies that align with their religious group’s interests. Voting behaviour, recruitment processes, placements, and political appointments into sensitive positions are often influenced and determined by ethno-religious factors in Nigeria. Data for the paper were drawn from secondary sources. Investigations conducted revealed that measures such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Peace Accord by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were put in place to enhance peace and encourage unity in a religiously and culturally diverse country. However, these efforts have been largely undermined by the neo-patrimonialism behaviour of patron-client’s actions and policies that have failed to promote social mobilization and national unity in Nigeria. The study asserts that religious leaders have significantly failed to positively influence government decisions for the benefit of the entire Nigerians. It is here by recommended that religious leaders must not engage in the unsavory attitude of endorsement of political candidates and also imposing such candidates on their members to vote, rather they should deal with in internal divisions within their own communities through speaking out against injustice and promoting peace in their domain. The religious leaders should divorce themselves from unnecessary relationship with government and politicians which normally will lead to unfair compromise. To achieve a peaceful and sustainable democratic society, the government must desist from all forms of patronage, covert or overt, that create avenues for a privileged few to manipulate the polity for their personal interests.