Smuggling Sharia into the constitution is divisive

Scholars of political theology know that a relationship exists among God, man and politics. These intellectuals are always investigating ways in which theological concepts relate to politics, society and economics. They know that religion is politics. That is why politicians often make use of religion to justify their political objectives when they want the support of the people.

It is not surprising that the 5 June 2016 edition of Businessday Sunday reveals that “uproar continues over Reps plan to give Sharia Court more powers.”This is happening at a time when Nigeria is going through political instability and economic turbulence. One wonders why a member of the House of Representatives thinks of smuggling in a pro-Sharia bill which, allegedly has secretly passed the second reading. The bill according to the report, seeks to amend sections 262 and 277 of the 1999 Constitution.

It only shows that some federal lawmakers have no clue as to the right prescription to administer the nation’s ailing economy. Some federal lawmakers are ignorant of what is good for a nation of about 200 million people. Who will explain to our federal lawmakers that discussing Sharia in a secular and multi-religious nation like Nigeria is divisive and nonsensical? This is because of the inequity and imbalance that such a bill may likely create in a society that is already polarized along ethnic and religious lines.

Nigerians do not expect federal lawmakers who have naturally failed woefully on all known measures of governance to smuggle Sharia into the constitution. Apparently, the sponsor of the pro-Sharia bill does not know that political stability is crucial and very critical for economic development. It is political stability that makes it possible for long term strategic decisions needed to transform the entire society, to undertake institutional reforms and to create the environment that will help attract international investors.

Regrettably, most House of Representative members are still living in the theological age. That is why they prefer theocracy to democracy. Most federal lawmakers are ignorant that Sharia will not attract international investors. Indeed, Sharia will not bring about economic development. Some of my respected readers may be wondering what political stability has to do with economic development. It is noteworthy to state that Nigeria is currently being negatively perceived by the international investment community. That is why the nation is rated as one of the risky places on the universe to invest. Why the poor rating?

Corruption is at its peak. Militants are blowing oil installations in the Niger Delta such that the nation is now producing less than a million barrels of crude oil per day instead of a projected figure of 2.2 million bpd. Boko Haram is inflicting mayhem on innocent Nigerians in the North East of the country, while herdsmen are using sophisticated firearms to kill famers across the nation. In the face of all these challenges, House of Representatives’ suggested solution is contained in the proposed Sharia bill.

Nigerians need to be united, not divided by religion. This is what we need when poverty and separatist agitations are threatening the foundation of the nation’s cooperate existence. It has been expressed in this column that no society can win the war against poverty and underdevelopment without visionary leaders. All other things being equal, the probability of getting good leaders will be higher in societies where the people are gifted than one led by those who lack vision. Hence the truism that nations get the leaders they deserve.

Nigeria does not deserve a senate where about 51 percent of senators are alleged to be bench warmers. They are senators who may not want to “rock the boat” by sponsoring no bill. It may also be that they have nothing to offer to the development debate, and thus suffering from “development myopia.”Perhaps, these senators do not know that the boat of the nation is gradually sinking as they chose to be spectators in the Senate. The question always asked is this: how do these legislators find their ways to the NASS? Anyway it is not surprising because in Nigeria, anybody can be anything depending on who is known in government.

The quality of some Nigerian rulers either of all political hues or military stripes from historical to present day mirror the extent to which Nigerians are gifted. Most times what we observe is that rulers just appear in strategic positions in the nation without any vision. These rulers are shortsighted with blurry vision such that they lose focus on those essentials that will enable the nation to develop.

Unfortunately, leadership crisis in Nigeria is legendary. The problem transcends all arms of government- local, state and federal. Instead of reading bills on the floor of the House that will enable the ease of doing business, improve quality of education and healthcare services, Sharia is about to be smuggled into the 1999 Constitution.

For the survival of Nigeria, federal lawmakers must put political stability on their agenda always. There will be no economic development without peace and political stability. As lawmakers discuss the Sharia bill, they should also consider the consequences of their choice. They should think whether Nigeria can handle a religious war alongside other separatist agitations currently spreading through the country.

Nigeria needs leaders who possess applied and emotional intelligence. These are leaders who are enterprising, endowed with initiative and strategic vision including basic understanding of governance. These essentials are required to transform any society and most importantly, an economically backward nation of about 200 million people.

House of Representatives’ members should align themselves with logicians who theorize that “progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” Those who promised Nigerians that they are changing the nation for good must first think of changing themselves. It is an appeal to politicians. They should not divide the nation along religious lines. Thank you.

 

MA Johnson