Today's Leaders Forum Praise 2019: Religious Leaders: Cankerworm in Governance - BOLAJI ABDULLAHI BAYO TIJANI

I am going to start this presentation tonight with a question for the house. 

My question is: Are Religious Leaders really Cankerworm to Governance? 

I will like a Yes/No response...

As I await your responses, let us quickly look at the definition of key terms in our topic for discourse.

Let's start with... 

Cankerworm

This simply means a destructive or corrupting force to something. 

Governance

This can be a process of administration. Broadly, accountability for consistent, cohesive policies, processes and decisions right. 

Governance, I believe is an art. The mastery of the good side gives birth to good governance and vice versa.

Who are religious leaders? 

This is a leader of a religious order or one who is regarded as an authority within the auspices of a religious group. 

There are millions of religions in the world. Basically, we keep informing ourselves as Nigerians that we only have three which  are traditional,  Christianity and Islam. 

However, I have met Nigerians who believe in Hare Krishna and Buddha. So, I posit that we have more than three religions in Nigeria. 

Thereby we have millions of religious leaders in the Nigerian space.

What are religious leaders? 

English can be confusing but let us get it straight. 

When we ask 'who', we are only scratching the surface or appearance but when we ask 'what', we are inquiring into duties, identity and other deep aspects. 

So, what are religious leaders? 

Religious leaders are meant to be safe haven of worshippers, the temple of knowledge, guide to light and path to righteousness. 

However, religious leaders are not infallible, they are humans like every other person. They are liable to errors, misjudgments, popular sins and so on. 

Suffice to note also, there is no rule that states that a religious leader can not materially comfortable or be on the FORBES LIST.

What are their roles as religious leaders? 

I'm going to be streamlining this to three. 

1. Knowledge Sharing : If there is any role that is sacrosanct to religious leaders, it is spreading of knowledge. It is their role to tackle the ignorance of the followers. 

2. Corrections of Errors: another important duty of a religious leader is correction of errors. They are in the best position to correct any error by anyone without fear as they are meant to be more knowledgeable of what is wrong or right. 

3. Advice to government : it is the duty of the religious leaders to always guide the government on their policies and redirect them towards goodness.

But there is a problem with religious leadership in Nigeria.

First and foremost, not every that claims to be a religious leader today is fit to be one. 

The intentions of these self acclaimed religious leaders are obvious in their religious bodies. 

Another one is that the fair unwritten rule is that you don't ridicule government publicly which is one problem we have in Nigeria. 

I remember the actions of Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello while criticising Ajimobi's Governance in Oyo State. 

Also, the statements of the General Overseer of GOFAMINT against the present administration of Buhari in 2018.

How do religious leaders affect governance in Nigeria? 

1. Choice of Leadership : The crop of religious leaders in Nigeria never keep it hidden on who they show their support to during the election process. They have succeeded in growing a seed of religious favouritism in the choice of leaders. A muslim is typically expected to vote a muslim even if incompetent. 

This in no way will foster peace, unity and progress in any nation-state.

2. Influence on Policies : Religious Leaders also play a huge role in the policy making process in the country. 

This is a welcome development but however, over indulgence can really affect national progress as International politics is complex and nations are forced into making some policies regardless of the populace thoughts. 

One notable achievement of religious leaders is the stop of Homosexuality law in Nigeria. 

However, my personal thought is that; it is only a matter of time before Nigeria accepts it too.

3. Influencing voting process : there are incidents of vote buying by the so - called religious leaders for their preferred Candidates.

This is as a result of the overbearing indulgence of the leaders in the political process. 

However, there is no written rule that stops religious leaders from being part of governance in a democratic process.

In the Nigerian context, religious leaders can not be directly and totally accused of being a destructive or corrupting force in governance. 

However, their over indulgence and excesses in governance is what is needed to be checked. 

Countries like Rwanda has strict policies on religious activities. I believe such should be in place in Nigeria too to check the religious leaders and their somewhat overbearing displays.

Thanks for giving this opportunity.