A democratic, not theocratic system of government is what we practice is the giant of Africa. While the former is described as the government of the people, elected by the people, to saddle the affairs of the people; the latter is a whole system in its entirety.
Whether the quest for voting out the ruling party or the need to promote our own desired candidate, many Nigerians have forgotten what politics is all about. This makes me wonder if we’re really ready for the change we clamoured. Well, I’d get to the point without further ado.
In a theocratic system of government, the administrators or ruling personnel implement laws, rules , and regulations on the citizens as guided by a particular religious beliefs and practices.
For example, if the president is of a religion that forbade walking with our feet, none of the citizens of the country dare to go against that.
That’s theocracy! The government of religion or a religious government. It’s simply a system of government guided by the religious demands of the ruling party.
In a more matured definition, Theocracy is the exercise of political power by the clergy or laity of a particular religion, usually, although not necessarily, claiming to be acting primarily on behalf of a divinity and governing according to its principles and requirements.
The top 7 countries practicing theocracy in the world are Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Vatican City, and Yemen; in an increasing magnitude of intensity of power. For other countries, the rule guiding them is always constitutional and has no direct relationship with religion.
If I may ask, what difference has the Muslim-Christian tickets made to the economy of the nation? What effect does it have on the growth and development of the country? As much as I won’t act oblivious of the religious extremism that took place recently, it’s important that we blame individuals and not religion.
Voting in candidates with similar religious beliefs doesn’t have any effect on the administration of the country. Islamization is looming, you say? What’s your definition of Islamization? It’s so sad knowing that most of our supposed graduate and well-revered personalities in the country are clueless.
What they tag islamization is actually theocracy as established above. Again, in a country like Nigeria where no one is actually sovereign, what imposition can the president and his vice do on individuals? Passing new regulations requires going through some series of check and hearings in the house of assembly.
Are all of those in the house of assembly Muslims, too?
The bottom line is that, muslim-muslim, christian-muslim, or christian-christian, even traditionalist-traditionalist doesn’t matter in the political set-up of a country. For a country like Nigeria practicing a democratic system of government, the political, economy, and social welfare is independent of the leader’s religion.
It is also a message to the populace that, irrespective of whoever the aspirants of any political position is, we should not judge by virtue of their religion. We should also avoid judging people by existing grudges we have against their religion or personality.
Go get your PVC and vote for your preferred candidate. Remember that we have 4 years of undiluted struggle to undergo if we should make the wrong choice this time again.
Abdulmumin Solihu