Agitations for religious balancing in the 2023 Nigerian elections

Abstract

Abstract

This research examines the agitations for religious balancing in the 2023 general elections of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has the presidential election of 25 February 2023 as its specific case study. The study aims to demonstrate the constitutionality and practical propriety, or otherwise, of fielding religiously balanced presidential and gubernatorial tickets in deserving States in the country. The methodology adopted is doctrinal, and the primary sources of data utilised are the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc) Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 1983. The study found that fielding religiously balanced presidential tickets and governorship tickets in deserving States has its own merits, as it is in tandem with the spirit of the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc) Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 1983. It was further found to have practical benefits, such as peaceful religious coexistence and national cohesion. This research is significant because it would be useful to Nigerian politicians and policymakers who inevitably confront issues of religious balancing when the need arises to fill relevant elective and appointive offices. It will also contribute to the discourse at the intersection of religion, democratic politics, law, and constitutionalism in Nigeria.

Key words: Elections, Religiously balanced tickets, Religious harmony, National integration.