Without prejudice to the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax reform initiative by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAIN) in Kaduna, the act nevertheless highlights an unfortunate persistent reliance on religious identity in Nigeria’s political landscape. At this gathering, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, delivered a scathing, albeit self-indicting, critique of Northern leadership’s failure to foster regional development despite decades of political dominance. However, the framing of this critique within a religious context detracts from its potential impact and raises critical questions about inclusivity, societal cohesion and the evolution of democratic discourse in Nigeria.
2. While every citizen has the inalienable right to congregate and express political views, reliance on religious or ethnic identities as a basis for political engagement is inherently limiting, and hence regressive. It constrains dialogue to narrow frameworks, excludes broader participation and impedes integration of Nigeria’s multicultural society.
3. The use of religious or tribal identities in political discourse exemplifies parochialism that undermines societal harmony in a diverse nation like ours. These labels, by their very nature, restrict participation to narrowly defined groups, fostering suspicion, rivalry and division among communities. This mirrors the reasons why Nigeria’s constitutional framers outlawed the formation of political parties based on religious or ethnic affiliations.
4. The constitutional prohibition of sectarian political parties underscores the inherent dangers of aligning governance with exclusive identities. If such practices are rightly deemed unsuitable for political parties, they are equally detrimental when applied to broader political conversations. Religious or ethnic labels stifle coalition-building, deepen societal fault lines and distract from the shared challenges that require collective action.
5. However, political identities rooted in governance philosophies – such as liberals, republicans, democrats, welfarists or reformists, etc. – offer a far more inclusive and intellectually robust platforms for addressing societal challenges. Unlike sectarian and tribal labels, ideological platforms transcend identity-based allegiances, focusing instead on principles, policies and governance objectives.
6. For instance, liberals and democrats champion social justice, equity and individual freedoms, while republican conservatives prioritize tradition, stability and order. These ideological differences encourage constructive debates that generate innovative solutions to societal problems. By engaging in policy-oriented discourse, political actors can rally diverse constituencies around shared aspirations rather than sectarian or ethnic affiliations.
7. Had the CHAIN event been convened under an ideological banner like say “Northern Reformists for Economic Transformation,” it would have invited participation from a broader spectrum of Northerners, including Muslims, Christians and non-religious individuals who share a commitment to governance reform and economic development. Such inclusivity would have enhanced the intellectual depth and practical impact of the discourse.
8. While Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara’s critique of Northern leadership’s failures and his support for the Tinubu tax reform policy maybe apt, the religious framing of the platform limits the universality of his message. By framing the discussion under CHAIN, the discourse becomes segregated, alienating non-Christian Northerners who might otherwise support his position on governance failures and economic reforms.
9. This exclusivity diminishes the potential for broad-based coalition-building and reduces the advocacy’s overall effectiveness. A more inclusive platform, such as “Northern Advocates for Tax Justice” or “Progressive Northerners for Governance Reform,” or even “League of Northern Democrats”, for example, would foster a sense of shared purpose across Nigeria’s religious and ethnic divides. It would allow political elites to rally citizens around substantive policy issues, promoting intellectual cohesion and fostering a culture of collaboration.
10. Adopting ideological identities enhances society’s democratic culture by fostering meritocratic competition and intellectual engagement. Terms like “democrats,” “liberals” “reformists”, etc., invoke principles of equality, collective participation and solidarity, resonating across diverse populations. These identities prioritize ideas, competence and innovation over primordial loyalties, creating a fertile ground for governance reforms and policy innovation.
11. Conversely, reliance on religious or ethnic labels perpetuates zero-sum contests for power, where gains for one group are perceived as losses for others. This dynamic breeds resentment, distrust, societal fragmentation and conflict, and diverting attention from governance to identity politics. But by framing advocacy in ideological terms, political elites can champion institutional reforms, human rights and economic policies that resonate with the diverse aspirations of their constituents.
12. While the endorsement of tax reforms by CHAIN reflects an acknowledgment of pressing economic challenges, the reliance on religious labels undermines the broader goals of inclusivity and societal cohesion. Nigeria’s political elites must transcend sectarian identities and embrace ideological frameworks that encourage intellectual discourse and shared aspirations. By adopting inclusive identities rooted in governance philosophies, political actors can build coalitions that prioritize ideas over identity, creating pathways for shared progress in a united and stable Nigeria. The transformation from religious or ethnic to ideological engagement represents not only a strategic imperative but also a moral obligation to foster a more inclusive, harmonious and politically mature society.
13. For any heterogeneous democratic society to achieve societal harmony, development and economic prosperity, its political elites must transcend the divisive boundaries of religious and tribal nomenclatures such as, for example, “Southern Muslim Youths”, “Northern Christian Leaders”, adopting instead broader political identities such as “Southern Liberals”, Northern Democrats”, Eastern Republicans, “Middle Belt Reformists” or “Niger Delta Welfarists”. These descriptions not only reflect ideological positions of certain entities but also align with universal values of democratic governance, equity and societal progress, fostering frameworks that promote unity and shared aspirations. Let the discourse therefore shift from labels of exclusivity to those of inclusivity – where Northerners, and indeed all Nigerians, are united by shared governance philosophies rather than divided by sectarian and ethnic boundaries. In this lies the promise of a brighter and more equitable future for Nigeria🇳🇬.
Comment
The reliance on religious and ethnic labels in Nigeria’s politics undermines inclusivity and societal cohesion. While CHAIN’s endorsement of President Tinubu’s tax reforms highlights economic issues, framing it within a religious context alienates non-Christian Northerners and limits coalition-building.
Religious and tribal identities in politics foster division, rivalry, and exclusion. Instead, ideological platforms—like liberals or reformists—promote unity, constructive debate, and shared aspirations. For progress, Nigeria’s political elites must transcend sectarian identities, adopting broader governance philosophies that focus on ideas and collective goals, fostering harmony and national development.
Religious politics caused significant divisions in Nigeria in 2023, but the nation has made remarkable progress in healing, thanks to President Tinubu’s wisdom and focus on progressive governance. Today, Nigerians are prioritizing sustainable development over religious differences, a positive shift that must be preserved.
Hon. Yakubu Dogara’s approach risks reigniting religious sentiments, which could harm national unity, patriotism, and collective progress. Rather than promoting division through religious affiliations, Northern Christians should collaborate with other Northern stakeholders to address shared challenges. Unity within the region, despite differing views, will yield greater benefits than divisive strategies aimed at seeking relevance.
Princess Gloria Adebajo- Fraser. MFR
Founder, National Patriots.
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