THE IMPACTS OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN POLITICS OF NIGERIA PLURALISTIC SOCIETY

Religion manifests in various aspects of life in Nigeria, however, what is interesting is the fact that the connection between religion and politics has always been incontestable; people have the tendency to politicized religion and religionize politics. The Nigerian people are no exception. Religion has taken a position of importance in the country’s politics. And this is understandable as Nigeria is vast with religious diversities which are intertwined with political activities in the country. Religious organizations have never pretended not to be interested in the affairs of the country as they are, in many ways, involved in the political activities. One of such ways is prayers that are offered for leaders and the country as an entity. These prayers are both solicited and unsolicited. The paper focus on the impacts of religious leaders in politics of Nigeria pluralistic society with aims to elaborate on biblical background of religious leaders and politics, religious leaders and politics in the Qur’an, the political challenges in contemporary Nigeria pluralistic society, choosing or election of leaders, factions and disunity, bribery and corruption, roles of religious leaders in Nigeria politics. Further suggested ways for religious leaders as a guide to natured religions adherents as follows: religious leaders should deliberately reach out to current politician to draw them to God and challenge them to submit themselves to the transforming power of God for righteousness, religious leaders should begin to groom young politicians who show potential and calling for politics, religious leaders need to enthrone righteousness and bring God-fearing people to the throne, politics is ordained by God, a call and gift to religions, therefore, members should be trained, discipline, encourage and raise to be good and righteous politicians, religious leaders should discourage political votes buying during elections, and religious leaders should always pray for and with politicians so that they may have a courage and boldness to stand for politics of righteousness.