CORRUPTION, RELIGIOUS & TRIBAL BIGOTRY THE CHALLENGES OF THE NIGERIA STATE

CORRUPTION, RELIGIOUS & TRIBAL BIGOTRY THE CHALLENGES OF THE NIGERIA STATE

If we run a politics that is based on corruption, religious & tribal bigotry, if not corrected it will tear our country apart and make us a total failure. This study advanced the argument that ethnicity, religion and corruption, has retarded the integration of the country and has continued to impede the attainment of national unity and development, as centrifugal tensions, resource control and self-determination, ethnicity based identity politics and religious cleavages have enveloped  national development process of national development in Nigeria has faced challenges from ethnicity, religion and Corruption. These social dynamics have weakened and hampered the development of institutions necessary for nation building. This article will reveals through its perceived findings that ethnicity, religion and Corruption have a negative effect on  national development in Nigeria. This is sequel to the growth of ethnic chauvinism, ethnic politics, political disorientation, ethnic consciousness, ethnic sentiment, religious bigotry and religious fanaticism in Nigeria. 

RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY the CHALLENGES OF THE NIGERIA STATE.

What is Religious Bigots

An individual who strongly and unfairly demonstrates hate and intolerance to religious (including other) viewpoints

Religious bigotry between Christians and Moslems is one of the key causes of conflict in Nigeria. History shows that religious intolerance was the cause of the Riots that took place in Northern Nigeria. which began a series of violent attacks against non-Muslims in the Country. Because of this religious hostility, some nationalist believe that amalgamation was a mistake and that Nigeria is a mere geographical expression. Christian groups in Southern Nigeria fear the North’s political power which they think they could use to Islamize the country. This suspicion has openly caused religious conflicts where each religious faith targets the other causing revenge killings. In addition, due to religious differences, Boko Haram Islamist terrorist organization sprang up denouncing western education and culture, and killing and maiming Christians and Muslims alike. Some people will tell you that the north practices Moslem religion while the south is predominantly of Christian faith and traditional religion. Not right the south /  north has good numbers of Christian, Moslem & traditional religion. These religious differences have been a source of political disagreements and suspicions between the two religion. Moreover, both  religious has minorities holding grievances against the groups they see as oppressors.

CHRISTIANITY

The history of Christianity in Nigeria and how Christianity came to be can be traced back to the 15th century, when the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive the shores of the region via the Atlantic. The Portuguese also brought Christianity with them but failed to successfully plant the seed of Christianity because of their involvement in the slave trade. It can be argued that the actual intent behind their voyage was more in the interest of slave business, than it was for missionary goals and objectives. Most of the Portuguese slave traders took Nigerian slaves to be resold in the Americas and parts of Europe. Hence, they were not committed to missionary work. In the 17th century, attempts were again made to establish Christianity in the region through Roman Catholic missionaries.

Nigeria has the largest Christian population in Africa and it has the sixth largest Christian population in the world although the Christians in Nigeria are roughly about 49.3% of the country's. The Christian Association of Nigeria was founded in 1976, and originally only contained the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant groups. However, it later expanded to include Pentecostal churches as well. The organisation is made up of five blocs; they are the Christian Council of Nigeria, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and the Evangelical Church Winning All/Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria.The CAN has Women and Youth Wings, a National Executive Council consisting of 105 members (which elects the President), and a General Assembly of 304 members (which ratifies the President's election).

ISLAM

 Islam was introduced to northern and central Nigeria in the Middle Ages as early as the 11th century and was well established in the major capitals of the region by the 16th century, spreading into the countryside and toward the Middle Belt uplands. Islam also came to South Western Yoruba-speaking areas during the time of Mansa Musa's Mali Empire. The vast majority of Muslims in Nigeria are Sunni belonging to Maliki school of jurisprudence; however, a sizeable minority also belongs to Shafi madhhab. Many Sunni Muslims are members of Sufi brotherhoods. Most Sufis follow the Kadiriyya, Tijaniyya or Mouride movements. Nigerian Islam has become heterogenous with the springing up of many Islamic sects. Notable examples are the Izala movement, the Shia movement, and many local Islamic sects that have limited expansion.

TRADITIONAL BELIEFS

The traditional beliefs and practices of African people are highly diverse beliefs that include various ethnic religions. Generally, these traditions are oral rather than scriptural and are passed down from one generation to another through folk tales, songs, and festivals and include beliefs in spirits and higher and lower gods, sometimes including a supreme being, as well as the veneration of the dead, and use of magic and traditional African medicine. Most religions can be described as animistic with various polytheistic and pantheistic aspects.The role of humanity is generally seen as one of harmonizing nature with the supernatural.[1][9]Within the city and states of Yorubaland as well as its neighbors, a more reserved way of life expresses a theology that links local beliefs to a centrally placed government and its sovereignty over the neighbourhood or communities through the monarch, the king. The seat of the king (oba) is chiefly responsible for the welfare of its subjects, as a confirmation of the legitimacy of the oba's (king) rule over his subjects. In addition to ensuring access to, and the continual fertility of, both land and people, seasonal carnivals act as a spectacle for "tourism" contributing to regional productivity. Meanwhile, the practices are not the same; they have some similarities and differences. The acts in a given traditional carnival is dependent on the type of gods or goddesses to be worshiped. While traditional carnivals usually attracts tourists, fun seekers, and community people, it is also good to note that there are certain forbidden acts which prevent people from doing certain things, probably before and during the carnivals.

TRIBALISM BIGOTRY THE CHALLENGES OF THE NIGERIA STATE.

The word "tribe" can be defined to mean an extended kin group or clan with a common ancestor, or can also be described as a group who share the common interest of mutual survival and preservation of a common culture. The proverb "birds of a feather flock together" describes homophily. In terms of conformity, the word "tribalism" has been co-opted and stripped of its original meaning, and has been defined as a "subjectivity" or "way of being" social frame in which communities are bound socially beyond immediate birth ties by the dominance of various modalities of face-to-face and object integration. Ontologically, tribalism is oriented around the valences of analogy, genealogy and mythology.

Tribalism is one of the causes of ethnic conflict in Nigeria. Loyalty to ethnic groups impedes true nationalism and unity of the country. From the colonial times till date, leaders use ethnic biases to win election and divide the country. Most of the conflicts that take place begin from this ancient ethnic sentiments fueled by selfish political motives. For example, employment into public office, ministries, agencies and directorates of federal government are mostly for tribal reasons and not competence. When you raise objections it snowballs into ethnic fight. Tribalism drives a wedge into true brotherhood in the nation and upholds division which causes ethnic conflicts and stops collective efforts to grow the economy. The fact is that tribalism divides the people and fosters Favoritism. Marginalization of some ethnic groups that make up the country is one of the causes of violent in Nigeria. Marginalizing the eastern part of the country in the Nigerian project, which was part of the cause of the civil war in 1967-1970, has yet to receive full reparation and attention of successive governments. Till date, reconciliation, rehabilitation, and restoration of the economy and the people in the east is still ongoing and the wounds of the war has not healed totally after over five decades. Power Sharing/Rotation to the six geopolitical zone 2014 NC: Recommended that the presidential power should rotate between the North and the South and among the six geo-political zones while the governorship will rotate among the three senatorial districts in a state. 2005 NPRC: The principle of power rotation should be enshrined in the Constitution so that executive positions rotate at federal, state and local governments. The office of the president, governors and local government should rotate in such a way that all the geo-political zones in the federation, states, local governments, as the case may be should have a chance to produce a president, governor and local government. It should not however be included in the constitution because of the emotive nature of the issue. There should be legislation by the National Assembly to ensure that the office of the president should rotate between the north and the south as well as amongst the geo-political zones of the country on the basis of equity, justice and fairness. The principle should be applicable to states and local government on senatorial basis for the governorship and at ward or district for the position of chairman of LGs. 1994/1995 Rotational Presidency should be enshrined in the Constitution. The same logic should apply to rotation of the governors and chairmen of LGs. It recommended multiple vice presidents with a way to ensure that at least one comes from the same zone as the president. Public Finance/Revenue Allocation 2014: That the sharing of the funds to the Federation Account among the three tiers of government should be done in the following manner: Federal Government – 42.5%, State Governments – 35% and Local Governments 22.5%.

C. CORRUPTION AND FAVORITISM The CHALLENGES OF THE Nigeria STATE.

Corruption means dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery and Favoritism means the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another. Corruption, Favoritism and unqualified leader problem of the Nigeria state. Gross mismanagement of national resources and misrule by unqualified leaders, have impoverished and denied opportunities to majority of Nigerians since independence which has led to agitations by citizens. Clear inequality exists in the way Nigeria shares its federal positions and allocation of infrastructure projects among the federating states. To create a sense of balance and share appointments and projects fairly, Government established Federal Character Commission but this has not stopped protests since government sometimes fail to use federal character for all appointments, hence the clamor for resource control among other demands. You can define Favoritism as preferential treatment. It is the action of somebody in power favoring their relatives and friends especially in appointing them to good positions. This is a source of conflict in the nation, as some people in authority fail to follow rules strictly when it relates to their relatives and friends. These officials prefer relatives and friends even when they are not qualified for government appointments, positions or carrying out contracts. Based on this, to say that Favoritism produces a corrupt and an inept leader is true.

Nigeria needs to focus its anti-corruption fight on long-term, high-return institution building activities, coupled with the justice infrastructure and political will to hold those who transgress accountable. We should combine these efforts with building strong and independent audit and justice systems, including a well-resourced judiciary and an oversight office to field complaints. We also need to create an environment that enables strong and accountable civil society organizations that provide oversight of government. Such strong and independent institutions have a salutary effect on political will as they exert the necessary pressure on politicians, even at the highest levels, to act. Such initiatives take patience and determination though, since building these institutions, systems, and processes may take a decade or more. Nigeria needs to focus its anti-corruption fight on long-term, high-return institution building activities, coupled with the justice infrastructure and political will to hold those who transgress accountable. This process should start by making key government statistics open and transparent, enabling citizens to keep on top of important information and build trust in their governments. Only with these pragmatic approaches can the continent record wins against corruption.

Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that has found itself in the nest where intense bribery has a firm grip on morality. People at all levels twist the justice and freedom of others just to gratify their insatiable need for money. Bribery is the act of giving something to someone in order to get something that was not legally yours. Bribery has many names in Nigeria such as commission, ticket, pass, sorting, papers, gifts, etc. It is not a new thing in the country and people seem to turn deaf ears to the drumbeat of the impending danger of bribery.

No sector of the Nigerian economy is left behind in this, A student who has failed a course has to bribe the lecturer either in cash or in-kind, a junior politician bribes the so-called ‘godfathers’, an underperforming candidate bribes delegates, an employee bribes the employer. While a bribe is given and collected, it is worthy to note that a bribe once given makes the giver lose his honesty and moral standards. How then can bribery be reduced or stopped in Nigeria?

1. Everything should be digitally and technologically operated

If everything is done via a built-up system where man has little or no influence over it, bribery will drastically reduce. Come to think of it, who will you give the bribe to when the system has been coded and when tempered with is easily noticed. As long as man has a say over the affairs of an industry or a country, bribery will often take the center stage.

2. People should be taught their rights and given the right backing should their rights be violated

For instance, those who operate the transportation business often have to bribe the police officers on their way for no special reason at all. It has suddenly become a norm that you must give a bribe. Anyone who doesn’t give them anything is unduly delayed. If the motorists know their rights and where the authority of each agency stop, they’ll be able to curb bribery in their business and make more money for themselves.

3. Strict rules and punishment should be enacted against bribery both in the private and public sectors

Truth is where there is no law, the order is usually very far away but when the law comes with severe punishment attached to defaulters, people sit up, buckle their shoes and try as much as possible to stay away from breaking the laws of the land. Although it is not enough to make the laws, relevant agencies should make it known to the public when a defaulter is caught and punishment measures should be carried out to such.

4. Religious groups should preach anti-bribery messages in their different places of worship

It is sad to say that bribery has penetrated even places of worship. Religious leaders should wake up and preach anti-bribery messages to members and also educate them on their rights and privileges as individuals. However, bribery can only be reduced, it is almost impossible to kill it because it is in the blood of man to bribe his way to the heart of anyone especially when he wants to get to the top. Nigerians should be watchful when they receive gifts because no gift is really free. Some of them are bribes.

CONSEQUENCES OF CORRUPTION, RELIGIOUS & TRIBAL BIGOTRY

POLITICAL VIOLENCE:

If ethnicity is encouraged in a society, it may lead to violence between one political group and another. Violence does not promote the growth and development of a country. Eg some Yoruba in Lagos State fighting some Igbo

NEPOTISM/DISCRIMINATION: 

When corruption, religious & tribal bigotry is promoted, people in authority will favour their family members and give their social group and ethnic group undue advantage over other groups.

UNDERDEVELOPMENT:

Underdevelopment is a situation where there are few industries and people’s living standards are very low. Underdevelopment could also be in terms of lack of provision of social amenities like electricity, pipe borne water, good roads, hospitals, and schools. corruption, religious & tribal bigotry sometimes brings about underdevelopment because, while some areas are developed, others are neglected. When corruption, religious & tribal bigotry is practised, the government will favour one area more than the others. This is bad and should be discouraged.

WASTE OF MANPOWER: 

Manpower refers to human resources or qualified workers. Workers that are qualified or skilled may not be given jobs because they belong to one ethnic group or another, and this leads to a waste of manpower.

POLITICAL INSTABILITY: 

When corruption, religious & tribal bigotry is promoted or practised in a country, the group that is not well treated will be unhappy. This may lead to a forceful change of government.

DISUNITY:

If corruption, religious & tribal bigotry is encouraged in a society or country, such a society will lack unity. Disunity does not lead to progress. Unity helps a country to achieve her goals.

DISLOYALTY: 

Corruption, religious & tribal bigotry breeds disloyalty. Citizens will not be willing to serve their country with all their heart and mind. They will always put their interest before the interest of the state or country.

 SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF CORRUPTION, RELIGIOUS & TRIBAL BIGOTRY

We can stop corruption, religious & tribal bigotry in our dear country Nigeria, in the following ways:

1. TOLERANCE: 

Every citizen who belongs to a ethnic or religious group should accept other religious or  ethnic groups. Though, there are differences, we should understand and try to do things in such a way that other religious or ethnic groups will be happy.

For every nation that desires growth and development, unity is of essence. From the beginning of the world up till this moment, there’s never been any time a people rise beyond the status quo to create a society where human potentials thrive, there is economic prosperity and the people live together in peace and harmony without having first put unity in its place. Unity is the state of being in full agreement or a condition of harmony and accord. Simply put, it is the sense of working together for the common goal and good of all. Nigeria is complicated in its composition, it is a nation of nations with diverse religious and tribal, therefore that sense of national unity has not become a real reality.

2. PATRIOTISM: 

We should place the love of our country first in our hearts. We should make national interest our priority. We should give jobs to the most qualified citizens, whether they are from the North, South, East, West, Christians or Muslims.

2. GOVERNMENT POLICIES:

 Government should put some programmes and policies in place to discourage ethnicity and promote civic values. Government should create a sense of balance and share appointments and projects fairly, government should follow the Federal Character policies for all appointments. 

3. INTER-ETHNIC MARRIAGE: 

People from different ethnic groups should be encouraged to marry one another. For instance, an Ijaw man could marry a Tiv woman. This is called inter-ethnic or inter-tribal marriage and is a good way of discouraging ethnicity. If there is inter-tribal marriage ethnicity could reduce in our country.

4. EDUCATION: 

The young ones right from the beginning of their education, should be encouraged to see all Nigerians as one. Acceptance of other people should not be based on cultural similarities.

5. PRACTICE OF FEDERAL CHARACTER

Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution provides that the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.

6. ZONING OF LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Zoning of leadership positions especially the presidency is not new to Nigerian political space, in fact the Peoples Democratic Party has zoned its presidential ticket to the Northern Nigeria, there’s been several debates about the effectiveness of this practice. We must however remember that zoning will necessitate rotational leadership and promote equality. Zoning will be bring a sense of satisfaction and belonging to the regions and promote national unity in Nigeria.

7. JUDICIOUS USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Nigeria is blessed with abundance of natural resources, especially crude oil and natural gas. Our economy over the years was built on proceeds from oil sale. However the economic turnout do not translate into real value for Nigerians. The poverty level has not become a history and the irony of plenty still resides with us, what happens to the people on whose land the resources are got, they are not happy to he called Nigerians, their believe is that some unknown people feast on their resources while they couldn’t feel the heat of development. When the government makes judicious use of the natural resources and there is an even level of development across the regions, national unity will be promoted.

8. STATES AUTONOMY OVER NATURAL RESOURCES.

Natural resources found on any land in any state belongs to the Federal government and only the Federal government has the autonomous right to explore and produce such resources..Section 44(3) of the 1999  Consitutuon provids that  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in under or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria shall vest in the Government of the Federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.

9. PROMOTING INTER-TRIBAL MARRIAGES AND EQUALITY AMONG ETHNIC NATIONS

One of the ways to promote natiinal unity in Nigeria is through marriages that cut across different ethnic groups and tribes. When this happens, the foundation of every society is already open to the reality that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic nation. Then it won’t be appropriate to say ‘I’m Igbo’ or ‘Yoruba’, but first a Nigerian. It is a reality that some regions within the Fedral Republic of Nigeria are more populated than others, some have more natural resources than others, some are more educated than others but all together form the entity called Nigeria.. Each region should be treated as equals and the government should provide resources and support necessary for their individual development.

10. GOVERNMENT SHOULD REMOVE "STATE of ORIGIN" IN FILLING FORMS AND POLITICS.

- State of Residence and Place of birth should replace state of origin" 

- Abolish “State of Origin” for “State of Residence and Place of birth”

Let me use myself as a good example My Father C.K Oyesola was born in Zaria Kaduna state. His father is from Ogun state and my mother J.O Oyesola was also born in Kaduna town but from Anambra State and i was born in Katsina road Kaduna State i have lived in Kaduna state for 40 years. I was born in Kaduna state, My children are also born in Kaduna state;  “Kaduna is home”. Despite my family connection to Kaduna state, my children and entire family will still have to fill's Shagamu LGA (Ogun state) as a local government area of origin in everything in Nigeria. Largely, Nigeria makes it impossible for me and my kids to participate in a community i was born in! “We need to change this abnormality of “state of origin” to “state of residence”. Through that mechanism, what would matter is where you live and how many years you have lived there to establish residence as a Nigerian. Nigeria will treat us as a citizen of Nigeria, living in Kaduna, enjoying all rights which are available to other kids in Kaduna who have lived at least 5 years to establish residence in that state.  After graduating one can move to Ogun state, establish residence, and compete for electoral office to represent Ogun state. It is time for Nigeria to make this leap. Do it and have a legacy because it would make Nigeria better and advance the wellbeing of everyone.” (Mitt Romney, a US politician, was born in Michigan state, became a governor of Massachusetts state, and today is a Senator from Utah state. Nigeria needs to make such possible through state of residence, and not state of origin. We need to be Nigerians, and nothing more.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

This study advanced the argument that ethnicity, religion and politics, as operated in Nigeria has retarded the integration of the country and has continued to impede the attainment of national unity and development, as centrifugal tensions, resource control and self-determination, ethnicity based identity politics and religious cleavages have enveloped  national development process of national development in Nigeria has faced challenges from ethnicity, religion and Corruption. These social dynamics have weakened and hampered the development of institutions necessary for nation building. The study has revealed through its perceived findings that ethnicity, religion and Corruption have a negative effect on  national development in Nigeria. This is sequel to the growth of ethnic chauvinism, ethnic politics, political disorientation, ethnic consciousness, ethnic sentiment, religious bigotry and religious fanaticism in Nigeria. Therefore, if there must be national development in our country, Nigeria must develop a supra-national consciousness and Nigerians must shift their loyalties from their ethnic and regional cum religious groups to a new Nigerian nation. 

This does not in any way imply a strategy that denies the socio-cultural or ethnic roots of Nigerians, but taking advantage of our multiculturalism, multi-religiosity and multiple identities, all Nigerian must contribute to create one nation which all nationalities (majorities, minorities and sub-minorities alike), can identify with Obasanjo, 2006). Based on the theoretical and empirical findings of this study, the following recommendations were made: 

If we must exist as a nation, due regard must be given to the plurality of our ethnic nationalities in which case, principles of true federalism must be adhered to. Political power has to be shared satisfactorily among the component ethno-cultural communities and resources for development distributed equitably.

 The nation needs a purposeful leadership that has a vision of how to place its citizens at the centre of political project without recourse to ethnic chauvinism and sees acquisition of political power as not an end in itself but a means for serving the collective welfare of its people regardless of their ethnic origin and Religion.

The leaders of the various religious groups and their membership are urged to embrace dialogue, tolerance and respect for each other and also embrace the tenets of their religion which advocates peaceful co-existence, love and brotherhood of all mankind.

 The content and dictates of Nigerian constitution should be strictly applied, practiced and utilized as provide. This will go a long way to strengthen and empower the potency of government in the act of governance in Nigeria. 

There should be legislation by the National Assembly to ensure that the office of the president should rotate between the 6 geo-political zones of the country on the basis of equity, justice and fairness. The principle should be applicable to states and local government on senatorial basis for the governorship and at ward or district for the position of chairman of LGs. 1994/1995 CC: Rotational Presidency should be enshrined in the Constitution. The same logic should apply to rotation of the governors and chairmen of LGs. It recommended multiple vice presidents with a way to ensure that at least one comes from the same zone as the president. 

Nigerian should learn how to put the interests of the country first before their parochial, tribal, ethnic or religious interests because the country is for all.

REFERENCES

1. Achebe, C. (1981). The trouble with Nigeria. Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers. 

2. Adetiba, T.C., & Rahim, A. (2012). Between ethnicity, nationality and development in Nigeria. 

3. Ajaegbu, O.O. (2012). Religion and national development in Nigeria. 

4. Ajayi, J.O., & Owumi, B. (2013). Ethnic pluralism and internal cohesion in Nigeria. 

5. Fox, J. (2004). The rise of religious nationalism and conflict: 

6. Gbadegesin, E.O., & Adeyemi-Adejolu, E.A. (2016) Religion and challenges of development in Nigeria in 21st century. 

7. Awoniyi, S. (2015). Religious ethnics and development: 

8. Egwu, S. (2001). The political economy of ethnic and religious conflicts in Nigeria. 

9. Balogun, K.A. (1988). Religious fanaticism in Nigeria: Problems and solutions. Ilorin: University of Ilorin Press. 

10. Cinjel, N.D., & Chujor, F.O. (2017). Secularism, religion and the rising challenges of national cohesion in Nigeria,