RELIGIOUS IDENTITY AS INSTRUMENT OF POLITICAL BARGAINING IN POST-COLONIAL NIGERIA

Abstract

The study aims at establishing the relationship between religious identity and political bargaining in post-colonial Nigeria. The study adopts qualitative historical method which involve use of published and unpublished sources, official documents, internet sources, workshop documents, newspapers and magazines, research works etc. The study argues that the history of post-colonial Nigeria is replete with use of religious identity as a strong identity political tool to negotiate political power, political patronage, political appointments, as well as employment in both civil and public service institutions. The study further contends that this nexus between religious and political identity has profound implications in struggle for power, good governance, effective civil and public service delivery, transparency and accountability, as well as democracy dividends in Nigeria’s fourth republic democratic experiment.