IGBO AGITATIONS FOR 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS AND ITS RELIGIOUS ABSTRUSITY

Abstract

The Federal Republic of Nigeria plans to hold general elections in 2023. Some believe that the elections should not be based on religious sentiments; others believe that religion plays important role in Nigeria though a secular state. There are basically three presidential hopefuls--Peter Obi of Labor Party (LP), a Christian; Atiku Abubakar of People's Democratic Party (PDP), a Muslim; and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of All People's congress (APC), a Muslim. On the other hand, nationalists and realists believe that it is the turn of the Igbo to produce the next president in the spirit of fairness and to ensure the continuous existence of Nigeria. It should be noted that since the end of the civil war in 1970, the Igbo have not had a shot at the presidency. This has continued to fuel the agitation for Biafran self-actualization and separation from Nigeria. The realists, like Chief Obasanjo, Pa Adebayo and millions of Nigerians, surmise that the future of Nigerian corporate existence will be determined by the outcome of 2023 general elections. This paper looked at what role religion plays in Nigerian politics. It concludes that, in all permutations and considerations, there should be a geo-religious shift of the Nigerian presidency to a Christian from the southeastern states of Nigeria. The paper made use of helpful literature, journals and newspaper articles, books and internet resources to draw conclusions and made germane recommendations.