Open AccessThe religious factor in Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential election
Author(s) -
Emmanuel O. Ojo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of african elections
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2415-5837
pISSN - 1609-4700
DOI - 10.20940/jae/2020/v19i1a7
Subject(s) - democracy , pluralism (philosophy) , politics , political science , indigenous , political economy , autocracy , ethnic group , development economics , presidential system , nexus (standard) , presidential election , religious pluralism , voting , sociology , law , economics , ecology , philosophy , epistemology , computer science , biology , embedded system
This study analyses the nexus between religion and political behaviour in Nigeria’s 2019 presidential election, and the effect on voting behaviour and patterns across the country. The extent of religious cleavages remains substantial and has not diminished over the years. These cleavages follow the Christian/Muslim divide, aside from the denominational differences in Europe and America or the ethnic pluralism in many African states. The impact of indigenous African religions is negligible because there are too many for consideration. This article therefore contributes to the recent resurgence of interest in religion and politics, with the fundamental research question being: does democracy need religion? The paper infers that Nigeria’s nascent democracy must promote a secular state, particularly in the face of the deep ethnic and religious differences that are capable of bringing about a democratic reversal to autocracy and absolutism if not well managed.