RELIGIOUS ECSTACY AND HOW IT INFLUENCE GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

 

RELIGIOUS ECSTACY AND HOW IT INFLUENCE GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA 

INTRODUCTION 

Nigeria is a multi religious, multi ethnic and multi ideological group of people that has different believe which perfectly influence governance in Nigeria. Nigerian citizens are people living within geographical terrain with multiple of religion, ethnic diversity and multiple ideology. Religious ecstasy, characterized by intense spiritual experiences often manifesting in ecstatic worship, is prevalent across Nigeria’s major religions, particularly Christianity and Islam. Nigerians are well known global for there ethnic and religious diversity and how it influence governance within the country. 

Specific Instances of Religious Ecstasy Affecting Governance in Nigeria; the country is one which the religious institution contribute massively to the enforcement of governmental policy made by the state, and most importantly, they contribute to the governance in Nigeria. These are the various way that religious group partakes in governance; 1. During Election process, 2. Influence government policy, 3. The act of governance guarded by spiritual Revelation, 4. Charismatic Religious Leaders in Politics and must importantly 5 Insecurities within the country and among many other. 

DURING ELECTION PROCESS; Religious ecstasy directly impacts governance in Nigeria by shaping public attitudes towards political leaders and policies. Leaders often leverage their religious affiliations to gather support, and many voters make decisions based on the endorsements of religious figures. For instance, during elections, religious leaders may mobilize their congregations, urging them to support candidates who align with their beliefs, thus shaping electoral outcomes, e.g on the Christian part, a popular pastor call Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, apostle Suleiman of Omega fire ministry among many others, have prominent influence over political issues. Their comments during church services can foster followers or members of christian churches to support specific political agendas or policies wanted to promulgate by the government. In 2018/2019 and 2023/2024, they made statements perceived as supportive of a particular political alignment or candidate demonstrating how religious ecstasy can directly affect political engagement.

Also according of Africa news, 

Muslim Leaders to Nigerians: Vote for Candidate Who Will Lead with Fairness, Justice: The meeting was presided over by President-General of NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar IV, and attended by Muslim leaders from across the country. The communique, which was jointly signed by Secretary General of NSCIA, Professor Is-haq O. Oloyede, and Director of Administration, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, directed all Muslims to pray fervently to the Almighty Allah for peace, security and wellbeing of Nigeria and for the success of the general election and the forthcoming population census. It urged the security agencies to do more to protect the lives and properties of Muslims especially those at the South eastern region.

INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT POLICY; Governance in Nigeria, has a lot of policies that are influence by religious ecstacy. The policy are the pilgrimage policy, the creation of the national council of Nigeria churches, and also CAN among many others. Especially pilgrimage policy, where must of the Muslim in Nigeria wants to go for maca pilgrim generate their money which the federal government provides for them. This pilgrim fair or money are included in the national budget of every year and this creates or generates some irregularities in administration of government agenda or target. Also, The National Council of Churches in Nigeria has used religious ecstasy to reemphasize on social justice and governmental reforms. Their campaigns, rallies or manifesto, often rooted in spiritual fervor, have influenced legislative discussions, particularly on issues like corruption and human rights among many others. 

THE ACT OF GOVERNANCE GUARDED BY SPIRITUAL REVELATION; the Nigeria Government is very conscious with religion. Many Nigerian leaders have publicly acknowledged the role of spirituality in their governance. Examples are; some state governors have established prayer teams or spiritual advisory councils to provide guidance on key decisions and policies to embarked with during their team in office. It can be debated, they reflect a desire to connect governance with spiritual values. Another example: Nigerians leaders have drawn on spiritual principles to promote social justice and reconciliation. For example, the former President Olusegun Obasanjo established the National Council of Religious Leaders in Nigeria, which brought together Christian and Muslim leaders to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Additionally, during the 2023 elections, many religious leaders pray for there candidate they support, particularly, there's a viral broadcast of a voicemail or call that was hacked by someone unknown showcasing the prayers to PETER OBI by well known preacher in Nigeria. Peter obi the choice of the people. This enumerated the relationship between power(Governance) and religion. 

INSECURITIES WITHIN THE COUNTRY. 

How do religious ecstacy help in fostering securities in Nigeria?. Nigerians are very conscious towards security especially the religious groups. They help in ensuring the life's and properties of their Religious members are kept and maintain. Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation religious leaders, Peacebuilding Initiatives ; Many religious groups have established peacebuilding initiatives, focusing on conflict resolution, mediation, and reconciliation. 

Additionally; Humanitarian Assistance; religious organizations have provided humanitarian assistance to victims of insecurity, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) for example, and those affected by terrorism. They've offered food, shelter, medical care, and emotional support. Also Some notable examples of religious groups contributing to peace and security in Nigeria include: The Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), which brings together Christian and Muslim leaders to Foster interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Catholic Church's Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC), which has implemented various peacebuilding and humanitarian programs across the country. Sultan of Sokoto's Foundation for Peace and Security, which has foster interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and community development initiatives or programs that helps we the Nigerians at large.

To conclude on this subject matter, religious ecstacy and how it influence governance in Nigeria, one must put in his mind that we the Nigerians are diverse in nature, culture, norms, ideologies and religious, but all doesn't divide us completely because of this religious ecstacy in terms of governance. We are one Nigeria, one voice and United because all Nigerians must belong to one religious group or the other and all this religious groups foster growths in governing the entire country. Both religious leaders (pastors, apostles, prophets, Imams, emir's, kings, oba's, among many others) contribute in one way or the other. Therefore in a myopic way, I can boldly say religious ecstacy in governance must have been in one way or the other helps to foster growths in the unity of our country at large. I can't forget to recognize our groundnorm where all other laws emanated from especially section 1(1,2,&3) and our preamble "we the people of federal republic of Nigeria" . It brought us together despite the divresity.