ABSTRACT
Foremost Sociologists are in agreement on the crucial role play by religion in human society. For instance, Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) conceived religion purely in terms of a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things – that is, the concern about the sacred and profane realms of human life. Similarly, Max Weber (1864-1920) examined the intimate relationship between society and religion and specifically, the close relationship between people's religious beliefs and their economic activities. Lastly, Karl Marx (1818-1883) described religion as “an opium of the masses”, that is, religion being used to legitimate the existing social order. No doubt, the relevance of religion on the society is true of the Nigerian society, as it is for any other society in the world. More than any other, religion has played crucial role in the past and current political dispensations in Nigeria. While religion offers a willing tool for the politicians in their efforts to capture power (for instance, by evoking religious sentiments to attract votes and support) political actors in the country have been seen to deviate widely from the tenets of religious doctrines after assuming office. This chapter focuses on this paradox in the country's political experience – the wide use of religion for electoral advantage during campaigns and deviation from religious tenets as political actors. It discusses the conceptualization of religion and governance; the problem associated with this; the dynamics of religion and politics in contemporary Nigeria; the role of religion in governance; the paradox: whither religiosity in Nigeria's governance and finally the issue of religion, morality and governance in Nigeria.
