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African Human Rights Law Journal
On-line version ISSN 1996-2096
Print version ISSN 1609-073X
Abstract
OLOYEDE, Is-haq Olanrewaju. Theologising the mundane, politicising the divine: The crosscurrents of law, religion and politics in Nigeria. Afr. hum. rights law j. [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.1, pp.178-202. ISSN 1996-2096.
From the embers of several ethnic groups colonially conjoined and subsequently amalgamated for sheer administrative convenience, modern Nigeria has emerged with internal contradictions. Unlike what happens in other climes, where many years of living together promote social harmony and mutual co-existence, Nigeria appears to be perpetually a tinderbox. Nationhood is threatened and politics defined along religious lines and religion itself highly politicised. This article highlights the critical factors responsible for the complexity of the Nigerian situation. These include socio-economics, religion, law, politics and education, among others, the interplay of which defines contemporary Nigeria, where insecurity is a national menace. In addition to offering a holistic analysis of general Nigerian and Nigerian Islamic perspectives on a number of issues that account for the near absence of positive and negative peace in the country, the article emphasises the imperative of a peaceful world, based on principles of justice and fair play in the distribution of resources, the promulgation of law, religious practice, media reporting and social commentary.