Weaponizing Identity: The Dangerous Politics of Tribe and Religion in Nigeria

Nigeria is a nation of over 250 ethnic groups and multiple faiths. This diversity should be our strength. Instead, it has become a weapon in the hands of desperate politicians. From elections to appointments, from public discourse to policy decisions, identity has been hijacked, not as a tool for inclusion, but for manipulation.

When the drums of tribe and religion beat loudest, reason becomes the first casualty, and unity, the ultimate victim.

Williams O. Omodunefe

Let’s break it down.

🧨 The Strategy: Divide and Rule

Nigerian politicians have mastered a dark art:

• Frame elections as battles between “us” and “them”

• Paint opponents as threats to your tribe or religion

• Mobilize fear, suspicion, and loyalty based not on merit, but on ethnicity or faith

Why?

Because identity politics is cheap and effective.

When you lack performance, you stir up identity.
When you can’t offer progress, you sell fear.

📺 The Tactics: From WhatsApp to the Pulpit

Divisive rhetoric spreads through:

• Ethnic slurs on campaign posters

• Dog whistles in speeches

• Fake news on social media

• Pulpit endorsements that inflame rather than unite

• Political surrogates who stoke hate with coded language

And in some cases, it gets deadly.

Post-election violence. Ethnic profiling. Religious riots. Suspicion among neighbors.

All because a few elites want power at any cost.

💣 The Consequences: A Fractured Nation

When tribe and religion define politics, here’s what we get:

1. Weakened National Identity

People stop seeing themselves as Nigerians first.
They become Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Tiv, Ijaw… first.

2. Distrust in Institutions

Appointments and promotions are seen as tribal rewards, not merit-based.
The result? Bitterness. Disillusionment. Resentment.

3. Electoral Violence

Tribalized elections often end in bloodshed.
Supporters become ethnic militias. Opposition becomes “the enemy.”

4. Bad Leadership

Competent leaders are excluded because they “don’t belong.”
Loyalty to ethnicity outweighs competence and vision.

5. Economic Stagnation

Investors flee. Opportunities shrink.
A country divided against itself cannot develop.

⚖️ Who’s to Blame?

While citizens often get blamed for tribal sentiments, the real culprits are the politicians and their enablers, clerics, traditional rulers, media houses, and “influencers” who:

• Stir emotions for profit or power

• Normalize ethnic hate speech

• Fail to call out bigotry from their own side

The people are not inherently tribal, they are made tribal.

🛠 What Can Be Done?

1. Electoral Law Reforms

• Ban campaigns based on tribe or religion

• Disqualify candidates who incite ethnic hatred

• Penalize parties that sponsor hate speech

2. Media Accountability

• Penalize media houses that broadcast inciting content

• Promote fact-checking and responsible reporting

• Encourage multiethnic programming

3. National Civic Education

• Reintroduce civic and national values in schools

• Promote “One Nigeria” campaigns on TV, radio, and online

• Highlight stories of unity and cross-cultural collaboration

4. Independent Religious Regulation

• Religious leaders who promote division should be sanctioned

• Sermons must unite, not divide

5. Public Leadership by Example

• Leaders must appoint based on merit, not tribe

• Promote national symbols, national heroes, national identity

6. Tech and Social Media Responsibility

• WhatsApp, Facebook, X must flag and block hate content

• Encourage digital literacy and media verification

  
  

✊🏽 A Call to the People

We must resist.

We must stop voting:

• Because someone speaks our language

• Because they wear our religion

• Because they insult “the other side”

We must start voting:

• For ideas

• For competence

• For peace

• For inclusion

Nigeria is bigger than any tribe.
Stronger than any religion.
Richer than any region.

If we do not kill identity politics, identity politics will kill Nigeria.