THE INTERSECTION OF POLITICS AND RELIGION: ANALYZING THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Religion has consistently been a significant determinant of electoral behavior in many democracies, despite numerous states' attempts and claims to maintain secular regimes. This paper explores the extent to which religion has influenced politics in Nigeria, focusing on the roles played by the two dominant religions, Islam and Christianity, in shaping the outcome of the 2023 Presidential election. Utilizing secondary data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), this study employs both quantitative and qualitative techniques to analyze the election outcomes. By critically examining the Presidential election results in relation to the strongholds of the candidates from the three leading political parties—Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP)—and the predominant religious affiliations within these regions, a strong connection is established between religion, politics, and electoral outcomes in Nigeria. The findings reveal that the two major religions significantly influenced the 2023 Presidential election results. The paper concludes that religion is crucial in determining Nigeria's electoral outcomes. It suggests that for the nation to develop, it is essential to elevate the democratic process above religious and other divisive factors. This can be achieved through the mass re-orientation of citizens, facilitated by socialization agencies such as the National Orientation Agency, and by religious and political institutions.