HISTORY OF THE MANIPULATION OF RELIGION IN NIGERIA AND THE ANTIDOTE FOR UNITY AND PROGRESS

The history and the relationship between religion and the Nigeria State has been an old one. The pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial governments: whether military or democratic systems, had their experiences of religious abuses and manipulations in the nation. The problem of religious manipulation is as serious as that of corruption in the nation. Religious manipulators used the potency of religion in the nation on critical national issues and problems to carry out their activities for political and economic interests to the detriment of collective good. It was discovered that cases of religious manipulation were prone in places where there is illiteracy, ignorance, corruption, poverty and other socioeconomic and political challenges. Manipulation of Religion in Nigeria is fuelled mainly by religious and ethnic differences. The intensity and complexity of religious manipulation has increased over the years. It started more aggressively from the jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio, the colonial era and into the civilian and military regimes after independence. In the process, the rule of law, power sharing, distribution of resources, equity, policies and actions were manipulated. This brought about poverty, corruption, mediocrity, competition, mistrust, agitations and crises. It has helped in making the goal of national cohesion, collective security and welfare impossible. Therefore, there is the need for government and citizens to be informed, responsible and accountable, to rise to the challenge of coming together and build a nation that is just an egalitarian.