Christians’ Participation in Politics: the Moral Perspective in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
- To examine the rate and levels of Christians’ participation in politics in Nigeria.
- To investigate and examine the general opinions, Christians and the wider society holds about Christians who are deeply involved in the political terrain.
- To examine if Christians’ participation in politics have sanitized the faulty political system, using Christian morality as a yardstick.
- To examine the factors limiting Christians’ participation in politics in Nigeria.
- To determine the political future of Nigeria if Christian begin to get involved in active politics.
- To examine how Christians can and have used their moral upbringing to sanitize the political system of Nigeria.
- To determine how Christian organizations like CAN and PFN can influence politicians to make policies that improve the life of Nigeria’s citizens.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptual and Theoretical Issues
To duly relay useful impulses on political participation, ‘politics’ is first explicated. Politics is about the acquisition of power and the use of such power (Adetoyese, n.d, p.3).Conversely, the acquisition and use of such power gives birth to government. Nevertheless, “Politics gives rise to government and government is sustained through politics (Ewuim, 2008, p.41).” On the other side of the spectrum, politics is “a bundle of social interactions between the individual man and a centralized institution of different levels of legitimacy whose role is to make and implement decisions for the benefit of the whole society (Abonyi, 2005, p.4).” Abonyi’s view supra informs, educates and socializes all with the fact that politics is social in nature. Politics is not a unilateral action and as such, decisions thereof must be multilaterally taken in a manner that it encompasses other relevant institutions of the general system. Hence, allocation of values based on unilateral decisions of the non-ruling elite, ‘political godfather’ is a complete negation of politics in a democratic setting. If allocation of values is strictly on the dictates of the political godfathers; then the state is no longer sovereign as it must have been hoodwinked, hijacked and sunk into internal slavery, colonialism and imperialism of the colonialist oligarchy under the guise of ‘godfatherism’. Pertinently, “The modern State is, above all, a sovereign State. It seeks to be the sole authority and the only effective power within a given territory, and the independence of that territory,” as noted by Bernard Crick in Abonyi (2005, p.45). This can only be achieved when meetings/decisions are multilateral and not a kangaroo typology rooted in egocentric interests. Therefore, Abonyi (supra) correctly related the activities of the person concerned (individual man) to the State (i.e. a centralized institution). Politics is mainly determining the allocation of national cake (wealth) and the way it is allocated to distinct locations at any given time. In Nigeria’s political experience, financial allocations are determined by the legislature. In some cases, capital projects that are meant for one community are usually diverted to another community by powerful/influential politicians from another community; while some are diverted into private accounts for selfish reasons. This is where the cake sharing psychosis – disconnection from the socioeconomic reality and the incoherence in the sharing and distribution of resources comes into play. This paper now aligns with American Political Scientist, Harold Dwight Lasswell who defined politics as who gets what, when, and how.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to Christians’ Participation In Politics: The Moral Perspective In Nigeria. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing Christians’ Participation In Politics: The Moral Perspective In Nigeria
Summary
This study was on Christians’ Participation In Politics: The Moral Perspective In Nigeria. Three objectives were raised which included: To examine the rate and levels of Christians’ participation in politics in Nigeria, To investigate and examine the general opinions, Christians and the wider society holds about Christians who are deeply involved in the political terrain, To examine if Christians’ participation in politics have sanitized the faulty political system, using Christian morality as a yardstick, To examine the factors limiting Christians’ participation in politics in Nigeria, To determine the political future of Nigeria if Christian begin to get involved in active politics, To examine how Christians can and have used their moral upbringing to sanitize the political system of Nigeria and To determine how Christian organizations like CAN and PFN can influence politicians to make policies that improve the life of Nigeria’s citizens. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from residents in Uyo. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Christians’ participation in politics in Nigeria reflects a complex interplay of moral imperatives, contextual realities, and individual agency. While the moral imperative to promote justice, integrity, and the common good underscores the importance of Christian engagement in politics, navigating the ethical challenges and complexities of political life remains a persistent concern.
Recommendations
Building on the insights gained from this study, the following recommendations are proposed to enhance Christians’ participation in politics from a moral perspective in Nigeria:
- There is a need to invest in ethical leadership development programs and capacity-building initiatives for Christian political leaders and aspirants. Training on moral reasoning, ethical decision-making, and integrity-based leadership will equip individuals with the skills and values needed to navigate the ethical challenges of political life.
- Promoting civic education and moral formation within Christian communities is essential for fostering a culture of political engagement grounded in ethical principles and values. Churches, religious organizations, and educational institutions can play a proactive role in promoting citizenship, civic responsibility, and moral integrity among their members.
- Facilitating interfaith dialogue and collaboration among Christians and members of other religious communities is crucial for promoting mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation in the political sphere. By fostering dialogue and building bridges across religious divides, Christians can work together with people of diverse faith backgrounds to address common challenges and promote the common good.
- Christians can leverage their moral authority and social influence to advocate for good governance, accountability, and transparency in the political process. By speaking out against corruption, injustice, and human rights abuses, Christians can uphold moral standards and promote ethical conduct in public affairs.
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