Project – THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION IN MODERN DAY POLITICS

                                                        CHAPTER ONE

                                                       INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background to the Study

In Nigeria, the influence of religion in modern-day politics is both profound and multifaceted, shaping the country’s political landscape in ways that reflect its diverse religious composition. As one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, Nigeria is home to significant Muslim and Christian populations, alongside indigenous belief systems. Religion plays a pivotal role in political identity, party affiliations, and electoral behavior, often transcending mere personal belief to become a powerful tool for mobilization, governance, and social cohesion. Political leaders frequently align themselves with religious institutions to gain legitimacy, secure votes, and foster a sense of unity, while at times, religious divisions have also fueled political polarization and conflict. This dynamic interplay between religion and politics in Nigeria offers critical insights into how faith-based ideologies shape policies, influence elections, and impact national governance, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of managing religious pluralism in a democratic society.

Religion and religiosity are the concepts which are not easily defined up to the present. Not only defining the religion or religiosity but also measuring religiosity is also very problematic. Hökelekli points out that since there is no single form of religiosity, individuals believing in the same religion, even included in the same religious group, are different and for this reason, it is possible to mention a religiosity specific to every individual. Thus, this makes defining religiosity even much harder (Hökelekli, 2010: 81). In addition, Allport indicates that there are as many kinds of religion experiences as the number of people who tend to be religious in the world (Allport, 2004: 46). Similarly Spilka et al. says that “there is obviously great overlap among the various proposals, but all agree on one thing: Even though there may be only one word of religion, there may be hundred possible ways of being religious” (Spilka et al., 1985: 7). In this respect, Fromm states another situation that is related to this issue. He argues that, it is extremely difficult to understand whether someone is religious or not. According to him, although some people claim that they are religious, they may not be religious internally, and people who say that they are not religious may act highly religiously (Fromm, 1997: 239). It is understood from this argument that the problem lies not only at defining religiosity, but also at measuring religiosity, as well. Briefly it could be argued that for this research religiosity means to believe in a religion and to live the life in accordance with the requirements of that religion.

Political participation has started to gain importance from the second half of the 20th century with people’s beginning to take part in the political life, and has become a subject matter on which political scientists study intensively. In that era, democratic thinking gained importance and the idea of constructing political power on large masses instead of an intangible minority isolated from people is observed. In this respect, political participation is a concept that emerged as a result of the modernization process and as a component of modern societies. Just as the definitions of religion and religiosity, this concept also has been defined and interpreted differently by different researchers.

Aristotle defines the human being as a “political animal”. Based on this quotation, it is possible to assume that human beings will take part in a political idea in some way or other. It is possible to express political participation as the attitudes and behaviors of the citizens towards the political system. Within this system, individuals perform some actions in order to affect directly or indirectly the decision-making of the political administrators. These actions may range from voting to participate in a candidate’s campaign, to collect signatures, or participating in boycotts or meetings. In addition, individuals may follow political agenda via mass media or perform a political attitude and action by discussing political issues within their family or friends. So, it is also possible to say that not every individual performs the same level of participation. While some follow up the political agenda just as spectators, some others may prefer to take part in politics actively.

Political participation is defined differently by many researches. Some consider just voting as adequate for political participation, some others, nevertheless, state that campaign activity, protest behavior and volunteering should also be considered for political participation. First of all, Van Deth states as summarizing the situation that political participation is a wide-ranging concept and “has become a study of everything” (Van Deth, 2001: 2). Different forms of political participation were first started to be discussed by political scientists in 1960s-1970s (Milbrath, 1965; Verba and Nie, 1972; Barnes and Kaase, 1979). While Milbrath expressed that political participation was unidimensional, Barnes et al. (1979) mentioned two dimensions, namely conventional and un-conventional. Political participation was considered as unidimensional in 1950s and 1960s, but later it was studied as a multidimensional concept. In addition to a direct relation to political engagement, affects political awareness as well. In this regard, Greenberg (2000) argues that political relations affected by religiousness not only increase people’s motivation to participate, but it also enables them to feel that their impact on political processes is better and more effective.

Results from the research by Duries et al. demonstrate that in the socio-cultural and political environment studied, despite the high influence of value inclinations, religiousness is the more important factor affecting political attitude. Based on their research findings, Hoffman and Dowd (2008) argue that individuals with stronger religious inclinations have higher political awareness, and religion and faith has considerable effect on their political engagements. Their findings show that both Islam and Christianity invite people to participate, but participation has been higher among Moslems than Christians. Epley (2005) refers to religious motivation as a factor influencing participative spirit in individuals. On this background the researcher wants to investigate Influence of religion in modern day politics.

1.2    Statement of the Problem

Politics and religion are so interwoven that their separation in society is not impossible but problematic. The assertion of religious authority over secular authority for the democrat undermines the legitimacy of the state and the fundamental human rights of the citizens; and the assertion of secular authority over religion “questions” God’s authority over his creations on earth and “undermines” the power and authority of God’s representatives on earth. The questions that arise therefore are: what really gives rise to the incessant ethnoreligious conflicts that characterize the Nigerian political processes as religious conflicts; does the gloss of religious beliefs and practices over to the nation’s political process engender or endanger the growth of democratic beliefs and practices in the country; and; how can religious and political practices be reconciled to guarantee the institutionalization of an enduring democratic order in a multi-ethnic society as Nigeria.

 

1.3    Research Objectives

The main objective of the study is to examine the Influence of religion in modern day politics. The following are the specific objectives of this study

1. To identify the main cause of religious beliefs in Nigeria.
2. To examine how Ethno-religious conflict determined participating patterns in in the South West elections.
3. To investigate the credibility of the in the South West elections vis-a-vis sentimental participating patterns.

 

1.4    Research Questions

The following are questions the research seeks to answer

1. What is the main cause of Religious beliefs in Nigeria?
2. How did Religious belief determine participating patterns in in the South West elections?
3. Was the credibility of the in the South West elections undermined by the sentimental participating patterns?

 

1.5    Significance of the study

This study will give a clear insight on influence of religious believes on political participation in South West, Nigeria. The study will be beneficial to students, religious believers and the general public. It will also serve as a reference to other researchers that will embark on this topic.

The influence of religion in modern-day politics is a critical area of study because it helps to understand the complex relationship between religious beliefs, political power, and social dynamics in contemporary societies. Religion has historically played a central role in shaping political ideologies, laws, and governance structures. In many countries, religious institutions and leaders continue to wield significant influence over political decision-making, often framing public policy in terms of moral values and ethical imperatives derived from religious teachings. By examining how religion influences political processes—whether in terms of voting behavior, political party platforms, or government policies—this study can shed light on the ways that faith and politics intersect and interact in modern democracies and authoritarian regimes alike.

Furthermore, understanding the influence of religion on politics is essential for addressing contemporary issues related to secularism, religious freedom, and the role of religion in public life. In some regions, religion continues to be a key factor in national identity and political allegiance, while in others, there is a growing push for the separation of church and state. The study of this influence also enables us to explore how religious ideologies contribute to political polarization, social cohesion, or conflict. For example, political movements or parties that invoke religious values may appeal to specific demographic groups, leading to political alliances based on shared beliefs. Alternatively, when religious institutions are marginalized or disempowered, political systems may struggle to balance diverse religious and secular interests in a pluralistic society.

The study is particularly significant in the context of global politics, where religion plays a vital role in shaping international relations and conflicts. Whether in the form of religious extremism, interfaith dialogues, or the role of religion in diplomacy, the intersection of religion and politics influences not only domestic policy but also foreign relations. Understanding how religion can fuel political movements or serve as a unifying force for peaceful cooperation is crucial for addressing global challenges such as terrorism, human rights, and international conflicts. In this way, studying the influence of religion in modern-day politics can provide valuable insights for policymakers, political analysts, and scholars seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of religion and governance worldwide.

 

1.6    Scope of the study

The scope of the study covers influence of religious believes on political participation in South West, Nigeria. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
3. c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities

 

1.7    Definition of terms

1. Influence: Influence refers to the power or ability to affect the actions, behavior, or opinions of others. It can come in many forms, such as through persuasion, authority, or social pressure. Influence can be exerted by individuals, groups, institutions, or ideas and is often a key factor in shaping decisions, policies, and societal norms.
2. Religion: Religion is a system of beliefs, practices, and values that typically centers around the worship of a deity or deities, but can also include philosophical or moral frameworks. Religions often provide a sense of meaning, community, and identity for their followers. They can shape individuals’ worldview, behavior, and interactions with others. Some well-known examples of religion include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
3. Modern Day Politics: Modern day politics refers to the current systems, practices, and ideologies that govern societies and nations. It involves the exercise of power, the formation of policies, and the regulation of public life. Political structures can range from democracies and republics to monarchies and authoritarian regimes. Modern politics also includes international relations, debates over rights and freedoms, economic policies, and social issues. The influence of political ideologies, parties, and leaders play a significant role in shaping the governance and development of nations today.
4. Christian: The term “Christian” refers to someone who follows Christianity, which is one of the world’s major religions based on the life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe in the core principles of the Christian faith, such as the belief in one God (the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), salvation through Jesus Christ, and the teachings found in the Bible (Old and New Testaments). Christianity has many denominations, such as Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, each with its own traditions and interpretations of Christian doctrine.
5. Islam: Islam is one of the world’s major monotheistic religions, founded in the 7th century CE by the Prophet Muhammad in the Arabian Peninsula. It is based on the belief in one God, known as Allah in Arabic. Islam is the second-largest religion globally, with over a billion followers known as Muslims.

Project – THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION IN MODERN DAY POLITICS