(By SegunAdeniyi) - By imposing a theocratic order that pushes the
responsibility for ‘blessing the people of the state’ to God … [Nigerian
politicians] are assured of support in a society where majority of the people
are ever ready to die for the faith they proclaim, even if it does not reflect
in their character and lifestyles. The interesting thing is that the same
people who order the destruction of vehicles carrying alcohol in Kano may be
sharing such drinks with friends in the privacy of their homes. It is the same with
Christian governors who build expensive cathedrals in their government houses,
to reinforce the unholy wedlock between the pulpit and the political podium. …
We should all be
worried about the growing importance of religion as a marker of identity and a
tool for political exploitation in our country. While religion can indeed help
to restore moral order, the experience of Nigeria has shown that it is actually
being deployed in promotion of private interest. By invoking religious
sentiments, the people are easily triggered to action in support of whatever
cause the political leader seems to be pursuing. In a predominantly illiterate
society, nothing can be more appealing than to be seen as ‘one of us’ by the
masses.
The story of the drunkard
and his bottles of beer [see below] … is very instructive. The man could pick
and choose which bottle to destroy and which one to keep because it was all
part of an elaborate scam to keep on deceiving himself that he was making the
right choice.
