The Bishop of the Ikeja Diocese of the Methodist Church Nigeria and Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, the Right Rev. (Dr) Steven Tunde Adegbite, has stressed the need for the government to approach religious issues with caution to prevent violence in the country.
Bishop Adegbite made the call during the second Distinguished Alumni lecture of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The lecture, which was titled: “Religion and the Murky Water of Politics”, was held at the Subomi Balogun Conference Centre of the university.
The cleric said: “Any country or society that is caught in the web of religious violence cannot experience social stability, unity and integration, which are necessary conditions for development.”
Adegbite insisted that the constitution should be “religiously adhered to,” urging stakeholders to avoid manipulating religion.
While calling for accountability, the religious leader declared that: “Those who are found guilty of using religion to destabilise the society must be made to face the wrath of the law according to the severity of their offences.”
The bishop decried non-adherence to the rules, thereby making individuals to commit religious crimes with impunity.
He said: “A major problem in Nigeria is non-application of rules of any kind, which allows individuals to commit religious crimes with impunity.
“The issue of sacred cow should not arise because the rule of law stipulates equality.
“Another expected positive input of religion in politics is adherence to the oath of office. In this case, political leaders, having invoked God when the oath is being administered, will rule with the fear of God.”
“We must be cognizant of the fact that every content of the oath is a guarantee for good governance, if imbibed. However, what is experienced in Nigeria is a flagrant disregard to oaths taken by elected and appointed leaders.”
Adegbite also stressed the need for religious individuals to actively participate in politics for good governance.
The cleric said: “Politics is like an engine and religion is the oil that lubricates it. The interplay of religion and politics in Nigeria has been established. Religion in politics could be of immense benefit while at the same time it could be counterproductive depending on how it is handled.”
He asserted that a hitch-free election would produce legitimate leaders who would govern with the fear of God and obedient followers.
“If all these are observed, religion will cease to be an agent of disunity and backwardness, leading to a future where development will no longer be a wishful thinking and Nigeria will have an enduring democracy,” he added.
Earlier, in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university , Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Peter Olagbegba, warned of the dire consequences of using religion to manipulate the people for their selfish political interest.
Olapegba noted that most religious crises witnessed in the country were politically motivated, pointing out that good governance can only be guaranteed where there is religious harmony.
The DVC emphasised that religious leaders have a crucial role to play in ensuring an enduring democracy in Nigeria and on the African continent.
In their welcome addresses, the Head of Department of Religious Studies, Prof. Olumuyiwa Olusesan Familusi and the Dean , Faculty of Arts of the university, Professor Solomon Oluwole Oyetade described the topic as apt in the light of the current political, religious and economic challenges.
They described the guest lecturer as an intellectually-endowed personality whose voice has helped, in no small measure, to shape government decisions and actions.
One of the highpoints of the event was the conferment of an award on the guest lecturer .
