#TheBaobabfamilydecides’19: Religion in Politics – deceit of electorates by electorates

Bukari Ayuba

The view that religion has a strong influence and control on individuals' political attitudes and voting behavior has also been examined and clearly demonstrated in other political systems (Liddle and Mujani, 2007: 832-857). In recent years, when religion-centered issues have become increasingly important and more frequent in electoral campaigns not only in tertiary institution but throughout the world, the relationship between religion and electorates' voting behavior seems to have regained public interest and attention.

There is no doubt that religion, a universal phenomenon, affects the world on a broad scale from the private life of individuals to international politics, and all the research on the subject clearly shows that one of the areas on which religion is most effective is political life. Of course, this has changed some things in the political arena. In other words, as it is understood that religion affects the political attitudes of electorates, the efforts of political party candidates to appear religious are also increasing.

Undoubtedly, the influence of religion on political attitudes is a well-accepted reality. Tertiary institutions and for that matter University for Development Studies Wa Campus is not an exception. Indeed, numerous comparative analyzes of UDS Wa Campus past elections has revealed that UDS Wa Campus electorates votes on religion bases in fact a recent example was Team Setho and Team Mufty when the election went into a run-off, indicating that the very student who are to make bold decision and stand for the truth, Justice and promote transparency is doing the opposite yet we sit for political studies lectures and African studies.

Few days after  the publication of the first part with excerpts above, from my encounter with one of the core campaign team member of one of the aspirants I was informed of an incident which happened as they were creating awareness and officially declaring their intentions, a student in one of the school halls upon seeing the team said to them; “ oh no need to campaign our pastor said we should vote for you because your running mate is a Christian and attends our church” unfortunately the position this very candidate and his team is creating awareness of has no running mate and it got this beautiful and intelligent lady embarrassed.
We pray to God everyday and preach the word of God all the time, organize conferences, conventions, pray all night and half nights yet we can stand the truth just because we want to have a leader in our various religious denominations knowing well the person may not have the capabilities but for our selfish desires, we allow politicians to use our various religious platforms to campaign and solicit for support, well not a bad idea but what are you telling God almighty, I guess I will leave it  for the various religious leaders to answer.
I chanced upon a student and asked the student if he would consider religion the upcoming elections the response; “am going to vote because candidate is a Muslim” it seems coincidental but the truth is we cannot hold anyone accountable because we voted base on religious grounds and therefore we should stop calling the various leaders t account for their actions, had it been we voted base on capabilities and failure on the part of the leader to deliver one should be bold enough to question him/her.

I therefore urge UDS Wa Campus electorates to vote because they think within the seven (7) months in office Team A or B would be able to deliver, electorates should vote because you believe in Candidate A or B, electorates should vote not base on religious affiliation, tribe, classmates but base on the capabilities of a candidate. I urge the various religious leaders to respect their religion and desist from asking their populace to vote for candidate A or B or allow aspirants to use their religious platform for campaigns and to the aspirants do a clean campaign, avoid dirty campaigns for one day it may be use against in one way or the other.

UDS Wa Campus students if you want accountability, if you want to avoid leaders who doubt whether to use SRC Week Celebration funds for entrance or not, if you want to have a leader who would work according to his/her policies and would not do things outside what he was voted for but for the interest of the student, I leave you to think and make a decision on your stand with Chaeli Mycroft (Winner International Children’s Peace Prize 2011) words which says;

“If you want change, you should work on it”

Bukari Ayuba

Manager – Ayubadailyonline.

Disclaimer; The above represent the views and opinions of Bukari Ayuba  and not necessarily the views of Ayubadailyonline.tk.