WHY ELECTORATES SHOULD SHUN BEING INFLUENCED BY RELIGIOSITY: Earlier today, I read through an update on the Facebook page of Mr. Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor that his commiseration visit to Benue State following the incessant killings in the State by terrorists masqueraded as Herders was truncated by the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia. I found it difficult to believe that the said Governor rejected the commiseration visit in Benue State during this romanced terrorism in Nigeria. During this era of conspiracy of silence by the Federal Government of Nigeria ably led by President Tinubu. In fact, this Benue State Governor’s silence is even more nauseating. Ortom’s bravery legacy of 8 Years has been destroyed by this successor of his.
I hope this allegation is not true because his unresponsiveness like that of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, Ebonyi State Governor and Hope Uzodimma is nothing to write home about. So to add this as part of his excesses will be tantamount to double decker incompetence, ineptitude and poor leadership syndrome. People cannot just be killed without a radical stand by the State Governments even though they don’t control the armed forces. Ortom was not perfect but at least, he took a bold stand. I still find it difficult to believe that he allegedly violated a Nigerian citizen’s right to freedom of movement as enshrined in section 41 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended. Whereas he kept mute over the killings by non-State actors who have not only terrorised most States of the federation but has also been guilty of mass murders, criminal trespass, malicious damage, treason among others. I said treason because under section 1(2) of 1999 Constitution as Amended overrunning a State in an unconstitutional manner is treasonous.
The conduct of the current Benue State Governor, a Catholic Priest and what it represents in the world politics is one point I wish to address. Religion is no doubt an opium for the masses. The reason it has been used as a weapon of ruins. Benue people voted this current Governor without checkmating his competence because they fell for the fact that he is a Catholic Priest. Even Obi probably must have tacitly endorsed him because of his soft spot for religion, most especially Catholicism. When he was the Anambra Governor, he converted a secular school (unity school) to missionary school (theocratic school). But he probably must have failed to understand that religion makes most adherents green snakes in a green grass. Just like Governor Soludo is. Only haunting after indigenous religion’s worshippers that allegedly fake things while emboldening Christian leaders that perform unverifiable and fake miracles. Didn’t Dr. Paul Enenche perform unverified miracle in his very before? Peter Obi is also guilty of religionising his electioneering campaigns, with his itinerant movements from one Mosque or Church to the other, kneeling before religious leaders that have sold their integrity. Even Mr. Omoyele Sowere has started going to Mosque for Salah, going to Church to preach. Same religionised politicisation.
The minority sane and critical minds are often asking; when will this politically motivated religious correctness end? United States of America is caught in the webb of bad policies and fragrant violation of the almighty US Constitution under Donald Trump’s current administration because religiosity and malice influenced their decisions. I felt the West should have learnt from the dark ages as well when religion overhauled the society with retardation but obviously the world is infected by atavism. Look at Nigeria, because of religion and ethnic politics it is a mess. Look at the Northern Nigeria particularly, because of religion politics, the States are haunted by almajiri practices, poverty and untold hardship. The minority free thinkers will continue to call for a rethink and value reorientation. Nobody is saying that one is not free to practice his religion but stop overhauling public space with unnecessary religiosity, genuinely separate religion from the State. True secular constitutional democracy remains the solution to the world conflicts, especially Nigeria, Africa at large.
By Ikechukwu Obasi
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