TAXONOMIZING CHRISTIAN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND DEMOCRATIC DEEPENING IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria is a pluralistic society where Christianity, Islam and African Religion exist virally side by side. Christian Political participation for Democratic Consolidation in contemporary Nigeria has been under threat due to lackadaisical attitudes of some Christians, financial responsibility, lack of funding, prevalent rate of nepotism, tribalism, corruption, rigging, thuggery and threat to life. The paper is aimed at re-wakening consciousness and attitudes of Christians towards active participation in political and democratic deepening in contemporary Nigeria. Also, the paper is a clarion call for Christians from respective denominations to form one body and become active political participants in facets of political position by giving it the Christian qualities. The paper made use of comparative, descriptive, field survey, participant observation and analytic methods of research. Data were collected from the field by participant observation, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and books. The research uncovers that, lack of Christians active participation in politics has yielded low result of democratic dividends and deepening which is lamentable today. Other actions which render active Christian political participation in democratic deeping include killing, rigging, nepotism, deformation of character, envy and hatred, religious sentiments, tribalism, threats to life, lack of show of love, wrong perception of politics as dirty games, injustice and lack of financial support. The research recommends active and genuine Christian participation in politics in deepening democracy in contemporary time. The lives of Christian politicians should also reflect that of Christ who is an ideal role model for leadership. Christian leaders should also encourage fellow Christians to actively participate in politics in order to bring about the needed change where love , transparency, hardwork, equity and justice, and fear of God exist in a world inhabited by Christ faithful.