Obi And The Danger Of Religion Politics -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has come under heavy criticism over the leaked conversation he had with Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide.

The audio clip released by online newspaper, Peoples Gazzete, has set social media on fire. In the audio, Obi was heard begging Oyedepo to help him mobilise Christian voters ahead of the election, especially those in the North Central states of Kwara, Kogi and Niger, declaring the election as religious war. Obi said, “Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara.This is a religious war. Like I keep saying: if this works, you people will never regret the support.”

The audio had attracted a mixed reactions on social media with some of Obi’s supporters insisting that voice was forged. However, Obi spoke person, Kenneth Okonkwo,affirmed that the conversations actually took place but nigerians read it out of context.

In another related development,Peter Obi,has denied that he held conversation with Oyedepo and promised to sue people gazzette and other filth columnist who orchestrated the malious campaign against him to court for libel. Whether it was truth or not that the people gazzette, the online media which published the story had contacted both Obi and Bishop Oyedepo to verify the authenticity of conversation, before it released remain mysterious.

Bishop Oyedepo’s body language has proved beyond reasonable doubts that, the conversations actually took place. But he denied campaigning for any politicians in the last general elections.

Constitutionally speaking, section 37 of 1999 constitution,gives every nigerian the right for privacy. By this,it means, “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected.” little wonder, when the conversation was leaked,many nigerians fingered Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), for being complicited in the whole melodrama. However, the communication regulator( NCC),has denied releasing the conversation. With Peter Obi heading to court to prove his innocence and save his intergrity,one expects in the next few days or months,shocking evidence to emerge.

Our politicians are doing more harm than good to the country’s fledging democracy. In their desperate attempt to clitch to power no matter what will be the consequences ,they resort to the manipulation of religion. It was Karl Max, who described “Religion” as the opium of the masses. Nigerian ruling elites have been tactically weaponising ethnic and religion to ascend to power. The divide and rule tactics cleverly deploy by our ruling elites have promoted and breeded mistrust or animosity among Nigerians. Nigerians are more concerned about the faith or tribe of the candidates during elections than competence. But Nigeria is a secular country.

Section 10 of the 1999 constitution states that: the federal or state governments should not adopt any religion policies. The president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who picked Muslim running mate will be sworn in and abide by the constitution of the country. If Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi had won the election, the same ground norms(Constitution), will be their guiding principle.

Ahead of 2023 general elections, indication has since been emerged that, elections will be won and lost on the basis of religion sentiments. The Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling APC, in a polarised country like Nigeria, has pitched some Christians voters against Tinubu’s presidency. The emergency of Peter Obi of labour party, a Christian from South, had whimped up the religion sentiments and changed the voting pattern as witnessed in the last presidential and National assembly elections.While Peter Obi may be guilty of “Yes Daddy” conversation with Bishop Oyedepo, other notable politicians are accused for doing the same. These politicians visit imams and even Babalawo to solicit for their support and prayers.

The only difference is, Peter Obi has called for “religion war”. This is unbecoming of his status. He forgot that, he would become a president of both Muslims and christians had he won the election. The use of religion in our politics is dangerous for the survival of democracy. It will retard growth and development. Though, the country’s secularism remain sacrosanct for peace, unity and equity,politicians should desist from unguarded utterance capable of setting up the country on fire.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state 08169056963.