Tribalism and Religious intolerance - Olughu Michael writes

TRIBALISM AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN NIGERIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM :THE WAY FORWARD

Democracy remains the best channel through which an ideal politics and responsive governance can be promoted towards ensuring a healthy relationship among people in the society especially Nigeria that is pluralistic in all ramifications. Democracy encourages Merit, competence and impartiality. Etc but frowns bitterly at tribalism, religious intolerance and mediocrity as yardstick of either electing or selecting leaders in order to represent the overall interest of the masses.
It is essential to note that the significance of the above stated topic is highly worrisome because of the destructive roles tribalism and religion play in Nigerian political system.

In order to ensure quality clarification on this intellectual digest, tribalism is defined as a feeling of identity and loyalty to one's tribe while religion is seen as any practice that someone is seriously devoted to. These understandable definitions of the key words on the topic will serve as the foundation towards expanding our frontiers of knowledge in appreciating the disastrous effects caused by these undemocratic elements in our political system, country and as citizens at the receiving end.

Has Nigeria benefited positively from the politics of tribalism and religion? This mind-blowing question should be answered by well meaning Nigerians who believe in the indivisibility of Nigeria as a country built on peace and unity. Suffice to state that Nigeria is multi- cultural, multi- lingual, multi- tribal and multi- religion in nature. Based on this true revelation of Nigeria as a heterogeneous society, the three major tribal and religious groups in Nigeria which include Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Christianity and Islam respectively, should be our areas of interest as far as this pressing topic is set for deliberations . From the days of our independence as a country after the unforgettable bitter experiences of colonialism, these deadly diseases (tribalism and religious intolerance ) have hampered peaceful co-existence and our progress as a people. Our country has witnessed hatred, crises and accusations of many dimensions credited to unnecessary projection of both tribal and religious interests on issues that affect the country in general.

At this juncture, our political system is now characterized by tribal and religious sentiments. Our politicians seems to be paying allegiance to their own tribe and religious groups without minding the best interest of our country. They exist on the deceptive belief that "Charity begins at home" . They also engaged in all sort of bad things to promote their own tribes and religion at the expense of other groups. Politicians from the Northern , Eastern , Western Nigeria. etc now see themselves as enemies against their respective tribal developments. This is seen in Nigerian national Assembly as it has turned into a gathering of tribal and religious promoters claiming to be representing the general interests of our great country . This has given rise to funny agitations for self governance among the three major tribal groups as Hausa stands for Arewa, Igbo for Biafra and Yoruba for Oduduwa nation respectively . Voting during an election is now determined by tribal and religious affiliations of the candidates with the voters . people vote against the best candidates because the persons in question are not from his or her tribe or religion . Some prefer to vote for an unqualified candidate just because they want their tribe or religion to be in control of political powers not minding the grave consequences it can cause .

It is regrettable to highlight an incident that occurred in a church during the heat of 2015 presidential election in Nigeria which led to the change of power at the federal level. The presiding pastor of a church openly warned his worshippers not to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari due to the following stupid reasons. Firstly, that the said presidential election is a battle between light and darkness. He quoted that President Buhari is a moslem which represents darkness while Dr. Goodluck Johnathan is a Christian and represents Light. Oh! What a hypocrisy. Secondly, he equally admonished his ignorant worshippers to vote for their brother from the South (Goodluck) claiming that the devil you know is better than the angel that you don't know that is from the North (Buhari) . it is obvious that no tribe or religion can deny of their involvements in this irrational dispositions. It is very disappointing and disheartening that our churches and mosques that was originally meant to be a place of nurturing minds for salvation towards making heaven has now turned into a political grounds of planting seeds of discord that is contaminated with tribal and religious parasites.

Should tribalism and religion be promoted or rejected in Nigerian political system? My sincere answer is that it should be strongly rejected for favorable political system, free democracy and progressive country to thrive. It is not debatable that such sentiments have done more harm than good to us as a people. It has encouraged tribal and religious supremacy thereby bringing disunity, crises and hatred among once United people. Today, Christians feel supreme above their moslem counterparts and vice versa. Can such notion be proven beyond all reasonable doubts by the duo in this funny and unrealistic debate of religion supremacy? Let us remember that Karl Marx posits that "religion is the opium of the masses". However, hatred and crisis are now our national identities because we have allowed tribal and religious sentiments to eat up our fabric as a peaceful people. This lends credence to numerous political, religious and tribal crises that has been experienced in our recorded history and which still exist till now. The late professor Chinua Achebe in his ever celebrated world class novel THINGS FALL APART rightly States that "They have put put a knife in the things that held us together and things have fallen apart". This quote is a reminder of how Nigerians as a happy people unfortunately allowed themselves to be manipulated by the enemies of tribal and religious harmony in the theatre of selfish interests, unhealthy tribal domination and religious intolerance. We should join the crusade of 'one Nigeria ' and fight against any form of tribal and religious discrimination in our dear country to avoid being part of what Professor Wole Soyinka calls " ours is a wasted Generation". I strongly believe in Nigeria where Olajumoke (Yoruba ), Ikenna (Igbo ) and Musa (Hausa ) will see themselves as one Nigeria without any tribal sentiments in all their dealings either politically or otherwise . In addition, I sincerely believe in Nigeria where Abdullahi (a Moslem) will see Michael (a Christian) as a brother not minding their separate religion. Let us be the the change we so desire and make Nigeria a
Country free from tribalism and religious intolerance.

In conclusion, a writer is a social transformer and an agent of an ideal democracy. It will be totally wrong for me to discuss about this demanding topic of our national polity without making worthy suggestions towards salvaging our great nation from the pedestal of political and religious destruction. Nigerians should consider Merit above mediocrity especially during elections of leaders and also place national interests above personal, tribal and religious interests . Shun any form of tribal and religious discrimination no matter the circumstances . We should promote unity and peace in all our dealings for a greater Nigeria so that the efforts of our heroes past shall never be in vain.

Written by:

Michael Ikenna Olughu
Onitsha
07039067819