Nothing could be more dangerous to the existence of this Republic than to introduce religion into politics’’

–Robert Green Ingersoll

These are dangerous times to be a Nigerian. As a people, we should all be alarmed at how the line between religion and politics has been blurred by our leaders in gross violation of the status of our country as a multi-religious society where leaders are forbidden by the constitution to promote one religion at the expense of another. But since the inception of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, we have seen how our leaders have openly, with disregard for our constitution used their official positions to promote religion while allowing religious leaders to meddle in the political affairs of our country. I consider the trend harmful and dangerous for our peaceful co-existence as a nation

For example, the President has spent the better part of his administration hopping from one religious place of worship to the other not minding how his dalliance with religion offends the sensibilities of Nigerians and violates the constitution. Our leaders have widened Nigeria’s religious fault lines, polarised and caused unhealthy rivalry among the faiths and their leaders. There is no doubt that there is a link between the dangerous trend of mixing religion with politics and the toxic political climate that has characterised politics in this administration.

Really every Nigerian should be scared by the dangerous and toxic religious and ethnic rhetoric that has dominated political discourse. The intolerance that has characterised the political environment, if not checked, will throw our country into chaos and may consume us all. What is happening in our country today reminds one of the hate campaigns that led to the Rwanda genocide and the religious clashes between Muslim and Christian rebels which have caused the death of thousands of people in Central African Republic.

It must scare us that our politicians, in their bid to retain or take power, are throwing caution to the wind. They are invoking hate campaigns and setting up religion or their leaders against themselves. They simply do not care if the country is set ablaze. One notable politician was recently criticised for wishing another politician dead. That is how low political discourse has sunk in our country. At political campaigns, politicians beat war drums through rhetoric that creates divisions along ethnic and religious lines. It is really scary to see our politicians carry on without any thought as to how their words and actions may signal an end to the corporate existence of Nigeria.

Our democracy can certainly not grow in an atmosphere dominated by primordial ethnic and religious sentiments fuelled by those who aspire to lead us. A situation where politicians resort to ethnicity and religion sentiments to whip up support portends grave danger for our country. Rather than engage on issue-based campaign, politicians focus on personal abuse. Not even during former President Olusegun Obasanjo tenure did we openly display intolerance based on religion. It should worry Nigerians that for the first time, we have seen how the choice for leadership by political parties is being determined along religious considerations. In this administration, we now talk of Catholic-Anglican ticket or Pentecostal-Protestant-Animist ticket. What is happening in our country today is ridiculous and dangerous. But I must say that this dangerous trend began in the lifetime of this administration. That is why I deplore the role of President Jonathan in the way he has been carrying on his role as the number one citizen of the country. Since he assumed office as the President in 2011, Jonathan seems to have completely forgotten that he is presiding over a multi-religious society. The President ought to lead by example.

During the struggle by Nigerians to actualise his presidency as a vice-president at the time of the demise of his principal, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, and the 2011 elections; Nigerians from all ethnic and religious creeds mobilised for him to become the first minority president. Unfortunately as his presidency has shown in the last six years, Jonathan has been behaving more like an ethnic and Christian president.

In his six-year as the number one citizen of the country, the president has been pandering to ethnicity and religion to either whip up sympathy or shore up support for dwindling presidential fortunes. But the president must know he is neither a Christian nor ethnic president. He is a Nigerian president. As our country’s number one citizen, he must know that he cannot afford to alienate any part of the country based on religion as he has been doing. He cannot afford to pander to one religious or ethnic group at the expense of the other. That is why Nigerians from all creeds voted for him. But the pan-Nigerian mandate that was briefly attained at the inception of his presidency has been frittered by Jonathan.

The President has no excuse. It is his duty to unite Nigerians. But he has done more to polarise the country along religious lines than any previous leader did. In the years Obasanjo presided over the affairs of the country, he never allowed religious leaders have so much influence on his administration. With his many faults, Obasanjo could not be accused of promoting or fraternizing openly with religious leaders as President Jonathan has been doing. During his time, Obasanjo only worshipped at the National Christian Centre. He was mindful of his position as the President of all Nigerians no matter their faith. He never allowed religion or religious leaders have a hold on his presidency. What do we find today?

We now have a President who mixes politics with religion to whip up sympathy. President Jonathan seems not to care the harm he is doing to the delicate fault lines that have kept our country on the brink and led to countless sectarian and religious violence. Let me be clear, I do not have issues with the President’s faith. He is free to practise his religion and worship in any church of his choice. But as the President he must do it privately. The President must stop his overt romance with every church and pastor.

A situation where the President frequents churches, mounts the pulpit to make policy statements or campaigns is not acceptable. For the past six years, the President has attended churches that one wonders how he has had time for governance. A situation where the churches all over the country jostle to invite the President to be a guest is distractive and polarising. What is even alarming is how the President uses every visit to a church to castigate his opponents or make policy statements.

Already the President’s unbridled dalliance with religion has polarised the church and embarrassed his presidency—the cash-for-arms scandal involving the Christian Association of Nigeria President, Ayo Oritsejafor, the Rev. Father Mbaka controversy and Bishop Oyedepo’s ‘gate of hell’ outburst are few of the embarrassments the President has caused the country on account of his mixing his religion with politics. It’s time to tell Mr. President to lead by example and stop mixing religion with politics.
•Follow me on twitter: @bayoolupohunda

http://www.punchng.com/opinion/mr-president-stop-mixing-religion-with-politics/

hmmmmmmmmmmmm

If it were GMB that was hopping from one mosque to another, I wonder what the PDP would av said

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I must sae...gej is a disgrace.

Nice write up, Yes I believe it must stop... I still recall that $9.3m was found in Oristejafor private Jet, For crying out loud this shouldn't be the case in Nigeria where a pastor will be supporting the President that is not doing well and trying to be play politics with the church. Things must change #VoteGMB come February 14.

front page

WHAT OF BUHARI THAT WANTED TO ISLAMIZE NIGERIA? WAT ABOUT HIS PLANS FOR SHARIA LAW?

front page...........................

Obascoetubi:
WHAT OF BUHARI THAT WANTED TO ISLAMIZE NIGERIA? WAT ABOUT HIS PLANS FOR SHARIA LAW?

U're still singing this song? If u think he wants to islamise, show ur proof and we would believe you

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

FALASY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.#GEJ4NAIJA

[b]Only a brilliant man, with the spirit of a preacher and the humble heart of a kindly family doctor can lead us now. We are afraid, out of ideas, and worst of all out of hope. Jonathan is the cure. And we Nigerian’s have it in us to rise to the occasion. We will. We’re in one of the most frightening periods of Nigerian history. Our country has rarely faced more uncertainty. This is the time for greatness. We have a great leader. We must be a great people backing him, fighting for him, sacrificing for a cause greater than ourselves. #GEJ4NAIJA

well buhari started these religion critics when he said Muslims should vote for Muslims, in the last 2011 elections, please people should get facts before criticing him. during this 2015 campaign Buhari went to churches too, didnt you guys read punch and vanguard. please lets respect the office of the Presidency and mind what we say. #GEJ4NAIJA, #NO2BUHARI

I remember vividly when Buhari came on air on Sahara reporter to say Muslim should vote for Muslim, and I had never heard Mr president saying such in any quarter, I have follow Mr. President campaign in the North several occasion and I heard Him say Insha Allah on several occasion. so I don't see the reason while criticising Mr President over Religious isues #GEJ4naija #No2Buhari

.

ttt

the author of this article is mistaken. GEJ is human and as such is free to practice his religion regardless of his status quo.. visiting churches is a normal activity for a Christian. I think the president shld be allowed to practise his religion without sentiments at least he isn't forcing anyone to practice or visit the churches with him neither does he spend the nations money on them.

lawal12sule:
the author of this article is mistaken. GEJ is human and as such is free to practice his religion regardless of his status quo.. visiting churches is a normal activity for a Christian. I think the president shld be allowed to practise his religion without sentiments at least he isn't forcing anyone to practice or visit the churches with him neither does he spend the nations money on them.

#GEJ4NAIJA #NOBUHARI

lets be sincere to ourselves what has the president really done to us that we keep posting all sorts of write-ups concerning him, his going to churches or connection with men of God has nothing to do with polarizing the country. His administration cuts across all parts of the country and that is the more reason why he went ahead to build alma-Jiri schools even if he wasn't a northerner and his own people had no use for them. That alone is an indication that the president is not biased or sentimental and it is a great achievement that none of the previous leaders of this country have been able to achieve.#GEJ4Naija

Mr president is just humble in nature. We should not mistake humility with mixing religion and politics. I feel he has the right and freedom to worship whenever and where ever he wants. I've also never heard him insult or make derogatory statements about any religion. Let's support Goodluck Ebele Jonathan..#GEJ4Naija

hatbricker:
If it were GMB that was hopping from one mosque to another, I wonder what the PDP would av said

APC
A - absolutely
P - poor
C - candidates
When in the north some muslims are calling Jonathan and christians "arne" and kaferi, kalifun. Abeg make una stop all these nonsense yarnings jare. I would vote for someone of my religion that would not oppress me. Dan hausawa sun bude idon mun.

hatbricker:
If it were GMB that was hopping from one mosque to another, I wonder what the PDP would av said

, It is the primary function of the President to look after both the Christians and Muslims. the so called GMB, that you are vouching for, did not have human feeling for both Christians and the Muslims because while executing the sharia law, he not only BRUTALIZED Christians and Muslims, but he destroyed many lives....don't worry, let him not win as he has promised you, the blood of monkeys and baboons which are Christians and Muslims will flow.......make hay while the sun is still shining....#GEJ4Nija

I think so far President Goodluck Has been fair enough to Nigerians ,in that He has created a plain and equal playing ground for all no matter your religious or ethnic affiliation . It will therefore be wicked for someone to say he has playing politics with religion. this is bereft of all logical evaluations. President Goodluck Is an icon of unity as well as a great bridge builder, thus we should appreciate Him this once . the only way we should do this is by giving him our mandate for another 4 years because the unity of this country is paramount. Two cannot walk together except they agree unity is the bedrock of progress and prosperity. #GEJ4Naija, #NO2Buhari

what are u trying to say? do you said because he is a president he should not serve his God or what?

I consider this article absurd. I wonder why Nigeria journalist don't have facts or at least make their research before judging and composing all sort of vituperations against the president. I vividly remember the 2011 election which was one of the best we had In Nigeria.the president was neither tribalistic nor religious in his campaign.i wonder why an article should be written that he is.the president is not a religion fanatic neither his vice. I believe most people in the north are Muslims but almajiris school was established for them. More was done for northern states than other states. Therefore I see no reason for the basics of this article.#GEJ4NAIJA #No2buhari

Mr. President is not mixing Politics with Religion. He is honoring the invitation sent to him and these people are also Nigerians, requesting them to pray for a better and unified Nigeria. He is not polarizing the country and most of his achievement are done in the North showing that Mr. President was not sentimental in transforming the country. #GEJ4Naija

religious aside, politics aside, what matter most is the interest of the people at heart and which is Goodluck. #GEJ4Naija

kestolove95:
I must sae...gej is a disgrace.

Sae or say? Shege Dan iska. You yourself are a disgrace. Muslims trying to blackmail the president. Rubbish! They did it during obasanjo's era, they are doing it now. Shegagu. They have succeeded in destroying christians there! There are trying really hard to wipe christianity off Nigeria. We that were affected by your extremisms in the north we know. Enough is enough. You won't repeat all what you did again in JESUS CHRIST NAME. AMEN! You hate it when a christian is in power, it is haram to you when a christian or a woman is above you in islam. But guess what? You have to start getting USED to it shegagu. Banzaye. Your religion is so intolerant and full of Hate despite the bombings everywhere done by them, they still want to put it on a christian's head. Liars! God will judge you all. Just know that fact. GEJ TILL 2019 GOD's Grace

if mr president want to polarise religion he wouldn't have build houses for alimajiri #GEJ4Naija #NO2Buhari