ADSU International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance and Management

The Intersection Of Religion And Politics In The 2023 Presidential Election In Nigeria: A Case Study Of Adamawa State

Abstract

This study examines the intersection of religion and politics within the period of the 2023 Presidential Election in Adamawa State and Nigeria at large. Religion plays a significant role in the politics of Adamawa State, often influencing voter behavior, policies, election outcomes and governance. Adamawa State, with its diverse ethnic and religious composition, provides a unique microcosm to explore these dynamics. The study adopts a Cross-Sectional Research Design incorporating mixedmethods approach employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The findings reveal about 57.6% is of the opinion that religious affiliations significantly impacted voting patterns and candidate preferences in Adamawa State during the 2023 Presidential Election. The study also highlights the relationship between religious leaders and political actors with 66.8% who strongly agreed that, religion leaders exert considerable influence over voters’ decision in Adamawa state 2023 presidential election. The findings of this research can contributes to the broader discourse on the role of religion in Adamawa State politics, offering insights into how religious dynamics influences electoral processes and outcomes in a pluralistic society even though the finding of the research is rejected by the researcher because the result contradicts the official INNEC declaration which emphasized that political parties and their influence determined the electoral outcome, rather than religion, as seen in the 2023 presidential result. The implications of these findings are critical for policymakers, political strategists, and scholars interested in the nexus of religion and politics in Adamawa state and Nigeria at large. The study recommends for policymakers should promote secularism in political campaigns, strengthen regulations on religious endorsements, and encourage interfaith dialogue to foster unity and impartiality in political participation.