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A professor of history, Toyin Falola, has warned Nigerian politicians and other stakeholders against using religion as a weapon to promote disunity and crisis in the country.
Falola, who is regarded as the most cited African historian, gave this warning while delivering the maiden lecture of Hassan Sunmonu Centre for Leadership and Governance.
DAILY POST reports that the event was held on Thursday at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos.
Falola, while delivering the lecture themed “Democracy and the Dynamics of Development in Africa”, described religion as a double-edged sword.
He said that religion is capable of binding societies together or tearing them apart.
He said in Nigeria, religion can either foster peace or undermine peace and justify exclusionary politics.
He then used the opportunity to appeal to Nigerian politicians and other stakeholders not to use religion to promote disunity and crisis.
“Religion can also be a source of ambivalence because while it is capable of bringing people together, it can also tear society apart along sectarian lines.
“The dynamics of religion in African democracies thus bear the contradictions of development. However, religion can be mobilized to reinforce peace and civic culture; religion can also stifle democratic ideologies by engendering intolerance or legitimizing dictatorship.
“In Nigeria, religion can either foster peace and consequently consolidate democracy or undermine peace and justify exclusionary politics,
“Yet, it can also motivate participation in politics and interest in public life, suggesting that religious engagement can be channeled toward civic education and tolerance. Any analysis of democracy in Africa must recognize the symbolic and spiritual dimensions of authority.”
Use religion to promote unity not crisis – Falola warns Nigerian politicians, others
