By Fidel Onyeneke
It is no longer an issue of doubt that Nigerians will go to polls by February next year,to elect new crop of political leaders at the various levels of governance. This is in consonance with the election programmes and guidelines rolled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Already,the registered Political Parties in the Country have commenced campaigns,and have also mapped out strategies to reach the Electorate in all the corners of the Country. As expected,political campaigns period are characterized with one- on -one delivery of messages,addressing of rallies,using various fora and tools to reach the masses,as well as distributing printed materials and documents to the prospective voters,among others. However,One major channel of reaching a large number of the electorate is through the religious groups. It is obvious that Nigerians are well known for their religiosity. Virtually all Nigerians belong to one religious divide or the other. They include the Islamic fate,Christianity,Traditional religion,and other groups which profess one spiritual belief or the other. Even those who are often regarded as Heathens,still have their fate and doctrines. The indisputable fact is that Worship Centers and Venues for various spiritual rituals have remained the places for the largest gathering if Nigerians ,at any given time. Thus such religious avenues become veritable fora for the spread and dissemination of political information. It therefore becomes very worrisome,the type of campaign messages that are passed to the worshipers who are also obvious voters,during these religious gatherings. It may be interesting to note that a huge percentage of Worshippers in any religious sects ,believe their leaders who they often reverence more than any other human being on earth.The implication of this is that such religious leaders automatically are key human Influencers and unavoidable Opinion moulders. Worshippers and members of Religious sects,most times do not have any iota of doubt on whatever they receive from their revered leaders.That is why the religious leaders must show high level of patriotism at this period of the Nation’s life,by ensuring that they do not use their privileged positions to make comments that would instigate violence and heat up the Nation’s polity. It is highly regrettable that most of the Religious leaders make unguarded utterances which are capable of causing tribal disaffection. Some had gone to the extent of preaching against some other religious groups,inspite of the freedom of worship which is enshrined in the Constitution of Federal Republic. Religious leaders as major stakeholders in the Nation’s democratic process,must resist the temptation of being used to cause political upheavals and other negative things that might derail the political system in the country. They should remain apolitical as they address their congregations,apparently made up of people with divergent political interests. All forms of Hate speeches,false Information and Fake News must be avoided.What is required now is for different religious fora to be used as avenues to preach peace,unity and oneness,and to further sensitive the electorate on the need for effective participation during the elections. Statements that are capable of promoting election violence and distrust should be completely jettisoned. What is expected from the Religious leaders now is intensive public enlightenment,and positive voter education. They should also monitor the activities of their workers and subordinates to ensure that they do not pass wrong messages to the members. Equally,the activities of the various organizations and Institutions and the Religious. Leaders must be placed at.clise.watch by their Spiritual bosses,to avoid any breach of the laid down procedures at this delicate period of elections. Party Candidates and other politicians who are members of the various religious sects,should be appropriately guided,and give strict level of moderation to follow,whenever they are given the opportunity to address the gathering of the faithfuls in order for them not to derail. We need to use religion as a unifying factor more, than agents of division. It is gladening to note that no religion preaches violence,and as such the leaders would not be used as.a ready tool for political destabilization. Let it be stressed that violence during elections do not add any value to the society, rather it is an ill-wind that blows no one any good.
*Dr. Onyeneke, journalists and public affairs analyst, wrote in from Owerri, Imo State
