Religion and Politics in Nigeria

Running head: Religion and Politics in Nigeria
Religion and Politics in Nigeria and their Correlations
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Introduction
Nigeria has the highest population in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 150 million people, who embody a cultural, ethnic, social, historical, religious and linguistic affinities and diversities. This background also has seen the nation have a highly complex and dynamic religious landscape, made up of multiple religions, these include the traditional religions, a variety of Christian and Islamic strands and new spiritual movements (Afe, 2010). There is evidence from research that these religions have transformed and enhanced each other through a competitive environment, and are sources of Nigeria`s complex existence and reality. Moreover, they offer the nation an instrument of peace and cohesion, and are sometimes a source of violence and conflict (Afe, 2010). This research will discuss how Nigeria`s religious side is interconnected to its politics, as seen in the influence of ritual, social space, power, and religious economy.
Religions in Nigeria
Historically the religions of Nigeria are complex and dynamic, given its rich cultural diversity, seen in its 250 ethnicities and over 400 languages (Afe, 2010). This has made religion in Nigeria to be a geopolitical entity that is fluid and dynamic as the various ethnicities and cultures that thrive in the nation (Olupona, 2003). This is further apparent from the lack of accurate statistics on the traditional religions. However, the prominent religions are Christianity and Islam, which have aspects of the indigenous religious traditions of the people (Olupona, 2003). In addition, the lack of a coherent picture of the religious landscape was complicated by the politicization of the last national census on ethnic and religious grounds, giving poor religion-ethnic demographics. It is believed that the politicization of religious statistics is due to political, economic and religious means by key figures that find these a basis for sharing national revenue and resources (Afe, 2010; Ibrahim & Pereira, 2010).
Indigenous Religions
Nigeria`s indigenous religions, are a rich tapestry comprising of local ethnic religions from very old genres. Examples of these religions are also associated with the traditional cultural groupings like Yoruba, Edo, Igbo, Kalabari, Tiv and Hausa religions (Afe, 2010). This study finds that this categorization do not imply uniformity of the ritual and beliefs. The reader must understand that Nigeria`s indigenous religions are localized, widespread and fluid as the ethnic groups are. This categorization only represents an average of shared and sometime different ritual systems and beliefs. These beliefs and religions are under the influence f social and ethnic groups, natural phenomenon and power structures. Despite difference, indigenous religions were transformed and acquired similar thoughts and practices following the expansion of Christianity and Islam. This saw the emergence of traditional religions that had aspects of European, Asian, Arab, religious, cultural and spirituality (Adogame, 2007). Though these religions have adopted a world view, they contribute to Nigeria`s outlook and convictions like belief in ancestors, supernatural forces, and divinities like Ogun, Emenala, Osun, and Olokun (Afe, 2010). Whereby these religions have and still play a central part in the local political scene of the ethnicities and cultures.
Religion is used by Nigerians to understand life`s complex realities, and acts as their panacea for many of their problems on day-to-day living. Indigenous religion is used by civilians and political leaders as avenues of solving complex social and political dynamics, and to gather support from ethnic groups for political favors and position (Olupona, 2001). Leaders realize that these indigenous religious groups have a strong influence on large ethnic groups and communities that can offer political support for their agendas. Examples of such groups are Ogboni society in western Nigeria, Eyo and Egungun in the Yoruba community, Igbo and Ifa among the Yoruba that practice healing, divination, and oracles (Olupona, 2001), which also manifest among political leaders.
Islam
Islam in Nigeria is as a result of the incursion in the 11th century, when Islam penetrated sub-Saharan Africa from the north through Sahara desert. The religion took on a conversion policy and spanned across northern Africa, including northern Nigeria, where it has strongly impacted the commercial and military outlook (Adogame, 2004). Islam has linked Nigeria with the rest of sub-Saharan nations through trade, politics and religion. The political aspect of Islam is seen in the formation of dominant empires like Fulani, Bornu, Hausa and Kanem, which were military powers and dynasties that also had ethnic and cultural aspects (Afe, 2010). Over the centuries, Islam spread throughout Nigeria`s kingdoms from the Hausa, Oyo, Fulani, Yoruba, Osgbo, Iwo, Ibadan to the south. An important historical aspect of the religions influence is seen in the 19th century, here Islam tried to purify the region, with more or less military power, and more with the Sharia law through jihads. In Nigeria, Islam is also diverse and complex due to its spread by the Sufi brotherhoods, Qadiriyya and Tijaniyya (Adogame, 2004). These have influenced modern education and politics of Nigeria for many decades. Islam through various movements like the Nasru-Lahil-Fatih society of Nigeria, caters for the spiritual, practical, political needs of their members who are grappling with contemporary developments (Afe, 2010). Islam is involved in Nigeria`s regional and national politics, and is in constant conflict with Christianity especially in the northern states.
Christianity
Christianity spread throughout Nigeria from the West African coast, through the Atlantic Ocean, to the south of the country, from the 16th century (Afe, 2010). The first attempts at spreading Christianity were not very influential since the first missionaries concentrated more on establishing political and economic interests. Christianity however, gained influence in he 19th century following the missionary activities by evangelical churches like the Methodist and Anglican mission bodies. These introduced western education and political ideals that quickly gained acceptance with the 20th century Nigeria communities (Ibrahim & Pereira, 2010). These ideals were only limited to British strongholds, as the British administration prohibited Christianity evangelical work in Islamic areas. Christianity in Nigeria changed during the second wave in the 1920s and 1930s when the prophetic and healing churches emerged (Adogame, 2005). These introduced aspects like reading of the bible, healing, prayers, visions, prophecy, elaborate rituals, dreams, liturgies, flexible worship modes and charismatic leadership (Adogame, 2005). They reject traditional fetish and demonic beliefs but embrace traditional cosmologies, depicting a highly dynamic system. The third wave was in the 1950s with the Pentecostal churches like the Redeemed Christian church of God, Mountain of fire and miracles Church ad the deeper Christian life Bible Church. These have strong financial and religious support and influence from the west and Europe, with missionary work exp...