In a world grappling with moral uncertainty and institutional failure, the question is not whether faith should have a place in politics—but whether we can afford politics without moral grounding. As highlighted in Theology of Politics by Ryan Helfenbein and deepened by Morse Tan’s reflections on integrative originalism, it is clear: When the foundation of law is disconnected from truth, justice is reduced to convenience, and governance becomes a tool of the powerful rather than a shield for the vulnerable.
Politics is never merely administrative; it is inherently moral. Every constitution, law, and judgment arises from a vision of what is right and wrong, just and unjust. The strength of integrative originalism lies in its insistence that the law must reflect timeless moral truths—truths rooted not in passing ideologies but in enduring principles that transcend culture and creed. This perspective doesn’t call for religious dominance—it calls for moral depth.
Throughout history, civilizations have flourished when law aligned with higher values—when justice was not bent to the will of rulers, but rulers were held accountable to justice. The notion of higher law is present in every faith that has shaped humanity. For instance, Christianity teaches that the moral law is written on the heart of every person. Islam, on the other hand, upholds adl—justice—as a divine command that guides societal harmony. These shared values form a powerful bridge in a diverse society.
Great leaders have drawn from these wells of truth. From Moses to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), from Augustine to Uthman Dan Fodio, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela—history honors those who refused to separate their moral convictions from their public responsibilities. They understood that without righteousness, power becomes dangerous. And without conscience, the law becomes empty.
This is not a call to establish a theocracy. It is a plea to recognize that no democracy can survive without a moral compass. That laws, no matter how sophisticated, must be rooted in something greater than political calculation. They must serve the people by honoring the dignity and worth of every human being.
This is a moment of reckoning for Nigeria. Our institutions are strained. Cynicism is rising. But our faiths, or moral compasses, offer a path forward. Not by forcing uniformity, but by inviting unity through shared moral vision. In a nation where Christians and Muslims make up nearly equal halves of the population, this religious balance is not a problem to manage—it is a blessing to steward.
It calls us to build a nation where public policy reflects the conscience of its people. Where justice is not an abstract ideal but a lived reality. Where leadership is not a struggle for dominance but a pursuit of righteousness. When we draw from the best of both traditions—anchoring our laws in truth, compassion, and fairness—we give ourselves the moral clarity to rise above our challenges.
Nigeria’s future depends not only on political reforms but also on moral revival. That revival must come from a people who believe that faith has a place in the public square—not to dominate others, but to dignify everyone.
This editorial was brought to you by the editorial team at Newspot Nigeria—where truth meets purpose, and conviction inspires action.
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