Religion and Politics in Nigeria: A Comparative Study of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Christian Association of Nigeria

Abstract: Among all the religions in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity record large numbers of adherents and the country’s politics is almost based on the two religious divides. This paper examines two religious bodies; the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) established to regulate the activities of Muslims and Christians respectively in the country. The works finds out that both religious bodies take active part in state politics and have struggled for self-relevance and acknowledgement whenever issues of national concerns arise. The struggle began in the 1970s and 1980s when Muslims advanced for the incorporation of the Islamic law into the Nigerian constitution on the ground that the nation has since her inception been governed by Christian law in the guise of British constitution. The result has been religious tension and violence. The work therefore recommends collaboration of the two religious bodies following their aims and objectives to assist the government in fostering peace, progress and development of the country