Religion and Politics in Nigeria Fourth Republics Case Study of the 2023 General Election
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
- To Analyze the Influence of Religious Affiliations on Political Decision-Making
- To evaluate the influence of religious factors on voting patterns, candidate selection, and campaign strategies during the 2023 general election.
- To identify and analyze instances of religious-based conflicts or tensions that may have arisen during the 2023 general election
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERTURE
THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION
Religion is a social-cultural system that connects mankind to supernatural, transcendental and spiritual components through prescribed behaviors and rituals, values, beliefs, worldviews, texts, hallowed locations, prophecies, ethics or organizations. Theology, comparative religion, and social science studies are only a few of the academic disciplines that make up the study of religion. The origins and workings of religion, as well as the ontological basis of religious being and belief, are discussed in numerous religion theories (Merriam-Webster 2019). However, there is no scholarly agreement on what exactly defines religion. Various components like as the divine, sacred items, faith, a supernatural entity or supernatural entities, or “some type of ultimacy and transcendence that will supply rules and power for the remainder of existence” may or may not be found in different religions (Fitzgerald, 2003). Rituals, sermons, remembrance or adoration (of deities and/or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, burial ceremonies, marriage services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dancing, public service, or other parts of human culture are examples of religious practices. Religions contain sacred histories and tales which may be recorded in sacred scriptures, as well as sacred symbols and holy sites, all of which strive to give life meaning. Religions may contain symbolic stories that attempt to explain the origin of life, the world, and other events, which are occasionally considered to be true by believers. Faith, in addition to reason, has always been regarded as a source of religious beliefs (Shouler, 2010).
CONCEPT OF POLITICS
Politics is a set of activities linked with group decision-making or other forms of power relations between individuals, such as resource distribution or status. Politics is practiced on a wide range of social levels, from traditional societies’ clans and tribes through modern municipal governments, businesses and organizations, all the way up to sovereign nations and the international level. People often form political parties to reflect their ideals in modern nation states. Members of a political party frequently agree to have the same stance on numerous topics and to support the same legislative reforms and leaders.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Religion and politics in Nigeria fourth republic; a case study of the 2023 general election. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing an Religion and politics in Nigeria fourth republic; a case study of the 2023 general election
Summary
This study was on Religion and politics in Nigeria fourth republic; a case study of the 2023 general election. Three objectives were raised which included: To Analyze the Influence of Religious Affiliations on Political Decision-Making, to evaluate the influence of religious factors on voting patterns, candidate selection, and campaign strategies during the 2023 general election and to identify and analyze instances of religious-based conflicts or tensions that may have arisen during the 2023 general election. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected residents in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study has provided a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between religion and politics in Nigeria within the context of the Fourth Republic, with a specific focus on the 2023 general election. The analysis has revealed several key findings that contribute to a nuanced understanding of the dynamics shaping the nation’s democratic landscape.
Recommendation
Newspapers should ensure that they provide balanced coverage on religious issues through varying perspectives in, during and after the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.
- Newspapers should ensure neutrality as much as ethics demands in their coverage. This can be done by ensuring that they provide a balanced account of activities of all religious affiliations towards the forthcoming 2023 presidential election regardless of the personal bias and beliefs of their different organizations.
- With the paucity of coverage on religion and its influence in the forthcoming 2023 Presidential election, another periodic study can be done on the topic after the election focusing on specific locations and other newspapers. This will ensure that a more comprehensive analysis and results are presented as well as a comparison between now and the future.
- Newspaper stories could be content analyzed to determine the dominant perspectives of politicians, religious leaders and the masses as it regards religious discourses in sensitive election periods.
References
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