OGBA RELIGION, POLITICS AND DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES: AN INCLUSIVISTS APPROACH

Abstract

In Ogba culture, the demarcation between religious and political life is so thin that only a careful observer can separate the two. The same applies to social and economic. Among the Ogba, cultural life is so intertwined, that where one may think he is merely engaging in a political activity, he would not know when such becomes religious. This paper identifies some political activities which leans heavily on religious under pinners. The paper explores to what extent politics and religion in Ogba derive strength from each. It examines the possibility of separating religion from politics and how each can operate without the other. The research examines the role of religion and politics in national development and various ingredients which religion and politics in Ogbaland lends to politics which fosters national development. The purpose of the paper is to consider the integrative role of religion in the political space of the country and how this has engendered development. The study adopts the institutional analysis model in the discussion. It concludes that religion contributes immensely in the strengthening the political institutions in any society vis a vis Nigeria.