AN EXPOSITION OF CHRISTIAN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS IN TARABA STATE

Abstract

Taraba State's sociopolitical order is similar to Nigeria's governance and statecraft issues since independence. Due to high unemployment, citizens' welfare and lives have declined, causing civil unrest as youths (especially) engage in vices like kidnapping, thuggery, cybercrime, ritual killings, armed banditry, etc., amidst corrupt politicians who embezzle taxpayer money. Due of poverty and insecurity, elected leaders are legitimate. Some believe that without Christians actively participating in politics to fix the situation, it will never change. Christian political participation was examined in this paper. The research used qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data from oral interviews, books, journal articles, periodicals, and the internet. This study used explanatory, analytical, and evaluative methodologies. The expository method provided an overview of Christian participation in politics in Taraba State from 1999-2024, while the analytical method explained Christian, participation, politics, and political participation and examined Christian perspectives and controversies. The evaluation technique revealed the Church's stance on Christian political participation and its moral implications. Despite instability, Taraba State and Nigeria have terrible poverty, according to the report. The paper found that Christians are under represented in Nigerian politics and have a negative opinion towards it. Christians should get involved in politics instead of critiquing. Thus, Christians should engage in politics and promote social justice and welfare as part of scriptural intersections. The paper implies that Christians will remain apathetic about politics unless the moral issues stated in it are addressed.