FAITH, POLITICS AND SOCIAL- COHESION AND THE APC'S SAME FAITH TICKET IN THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The article examines the impact of the All- Progressives Congress (APC) presidential same- faith ticket on social cohesion in Nigeria's 2023 general elections. The research problem lies in understanding how the APC's decisions to select a presidential candidate and a running mate from the same faith background affects national unity and social cohesion. The paper's objectives are to: analyze the implications of same- faith tickets on Nigeria's social cohesion, examine the APC's strategy and its potential consequences, and explore strategies for promoting interfaith dialogue and national unity. Using a mixed- methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data, this article draws on survey data and in- depth interviews with stakeholders to gather data. The Identity Politics Theory (IPT) of Kimberlé Crenshaw was adopted as a framework to analyze the dynamics of intergroup relations and social cohesion. The major findings of the article revealed that: same- faith tickets can exacerbate interfaith tensions and undermine national cohesion, the APC's strategy was driven by political expediency rather than national unity, and alternative approaches such as zoning and rotation of power can promote more inclusive governance. The article concludes that same- faith tickets pose a significant threat to Nigeria's social cohesion and recommends: encouraging politicians to adopt more inclusive nomination processes and secular politics; promoting interfaith dialogue and national unity initiatives; and implementing policies that address the root causes of ethnic and religious tensions.