THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN THE POLITICS OF DELTA STATE

Code No: 341640

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ABSTRACT

Inspite of the religious was of the people of Delta State, the question of the role of religion in the politics of Delta State still stand as a major challenge to religious scholars. This essay in its bid to unravel the role of religion in the society, outrightly dwelt on the impart of religion in politics.
In this research, different methods ranging from interviews with political stakeholders and clergies, personal observations, journals, newspapers and other related material to the topic were used. Though the work is limited to Delta State, it findings could be applicable to the entire southern part of Nigeria particularly the areas dominated by Christianity and African Traditional Practices.
While the first chapter of this essay dealt with the method, scope and significance of the study, the second chapter dealt the views of different authors. It also defined the concept of politics and the different religious practices among the different ethnic groups in Delta State.
Chapter three dwelt on the role of religious leaders and traditional rulers in mobilizing the youth in the political system while chapter four largely dwelt on the relationship between the church and the state and also on the role of the church in combating the moral laxity in the political system today. It also talks extensively on the role of religion in the electoral system in Delta State.
Finally, it was concluded that the role of religion in politics is not limited to institutions like the churches and government rather it cut across the individuals such as the traditional rulers, the priests, the youth and the elders who forms the religious congregation and the political actors who are at the center of the political sphere.

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Cultural values and moral integrity are social indicators that guarantees the general acceptance of individual within the society. The control of the government machinery is entrusted to a few individuals, however, the fear of changeable and unreliable nature of man often introduce religious beliefs into the political sphere.1 This is due to the view that belief is a component of moral behavior and at such our beliefs affects our conducts.2 This fact clearly explains why there is hardly any political office holder today, that does not profess religion.
Inspite of the difference which exist between religion and politics which presupposes that religion deals with the realm of conviction and ultimate reality, a view in life sees good and calls it into reality while politics is seen as a realm of compromise in which ultimate purposes clash, interest competes and conflicting claims are adjusted by a process of give and take;3 the ethical views and realities which coexist side by side within our society weave religion deeply into politics particularly in the search for moral integrity in the political domain.
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Religion is an integral part of every society. In recent times, religious activities have been more deeply woven into the fabrics of partisan politics to the extent that religious participation correlates with politics in Delta State. That is, it is difficult to be successful in the political environment without proper alignment with a religious organization within the state.
Throughout the history of Nigeriaâ€™s political and social development, civil organizations have always looked up to religious institutions for inspirational leadership. Hence, it is undoubted that religion still have powerful influence in the structuring of the political culture and some policies of the government in Nigeria.4 It is against this background that this essay will be examining the role of religion in the politics of Delta State. Consequently, this research will mainly expose the religio-political affiliations in the daily administration of Delta State, the role of religious institutions in the electoral practices of Delta State as well as the influence of religion on the policies of Delta State.