RELIGION AND POLITICS IN  NIGERIA: PARTNERS IN DIALOGUE TOWARDS A FAILED STATE, 1960-2007

ABSTRACT: Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has been ”boiling”. The nation has slid steadily, deeper and irresistibly into turmoil. The so-called giant of Africa has since 1960 been tottering from one conflict and crisis to another. The history of the nation, has been one of heartless rape and organised political topsy-turvydom. Religion in the country has aided the national leadership in poisoning  the nation’s system to its soul. Religion has helped in the destruction of the nation’s democratic political process , party politics and economy. The religious leaders in the country for selfish reasons never stood firmly to resist either military oppression or civilian political leadership corruption in the country . The findings and submission of this thesis are  that the religious hierarchies in Nigeria  are accomplices in the  calamities rocking the nation, hence the friendly and harmless postures of their ministries towards the regimes. The stress of the thesis is that Nigeria religious leaders fraternize and soliderize for personal gains with the country’s leaderships who rape and turn the nation into a citadel of anguish and despondency. The political leadership also uses religion as a cover up in its perpetuation of the  tragedies that threaten the nation to its foundations. Religion in Nigeria, therefore,  needs to be infused with due sense of  patriotism. For data collection ,the writer employed both primary and secondary sources of evidence, and relied on documents analysis technique.  

KEYWORDS: Religion, Politics, Failed State, Partners, Independence .