One of the rights that is conspicuously provided in the Nigerian constitution is the right to choose and worship whatever you want to worship or take as your god, in as much as you are not hurting anyone or inflicting pain on another in the exercise of this your right of worship.

The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria in section 38 has armed every citizen of Nigeria with the right to either be a Christain or a Muslim or a Jewish or even a traditionalist or to join any other religion you can think of. 

But the bugging question always from the traditional worshippers is, “does this right of them choosing to be traditionalists extend to them being witches or wizards or practicing witchcraft or wizardry in Nigeria”?

Just like it is said that in every general rule there are exceptions so also in every right and liberty provided by the constitution or in whichever law there is, there are restrictions and limitations to those rights. This right to freedom to be a traditional worshiper does not extend to you being a witch or wizard or dealer in black magic or voodoo in the guise of you having the liberties to choose whatever you want to worship as your god.

Being a traditionalist is legal in Nigeria but once you cross the threshold of being a mere traditionalist who only bows to Ogun, Orumole or Amadioha or any other god to a wizard or witch you are now committing a criminal offense because witchcraft and wizardry and black magic are criminalized in our statute.

Section 210 of the criminal code act hereby provides 

Offenses in relation to witchcraft and juju

Any person who?

(a) by his statements or actions represents himself to be a witch or to have the power of witchcraft; or

(b) accuses or threatens to accuse any person with being a witch or with having the power of witchcraft; or

(c) makes or sells or uses, or assists or takes part in making or selling or using or has in his possession or represents himself to be in possession of any juju, drug or charm which is intended to be used or reported to possess the power to prevent or delay any person from doing an act which such person has a legal right to do, or to compel any person to do an act which such person has a legal right to refrain from doing, or which is alleged or reported to possess the power of causing any natural phenomenon or any disease or epidemic; or

(d) directs or controls or presides at or is present at or takes part in the worship or invocation of any juju which is prohibited by an order of the President or the Governor of a State; or

(e) is in possession of or has control over any human remains which are used or are intended to be used in connection with the worship or invocation of any juju; or

(f) makes or uses or assists in making or using, or has in his possession anything whatsoever the making, use or possession of which has been prohibited by an order as being or believed to be associated with human sacrifice or other unlawful practice,

is guilty of misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for two years.

Therefore, Section 210 of the criminal code is a restriction and limitation to the fundamental human right provided in Section 38 of the constitution, and on this ground, the practice of witchcraft or wizardry as a religion in Nigeria is criminalized and anybody found engaging in such practices is liable to at least two years jail terms. 

A ‘nationwide’ survey purportedly carried out by one Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that identifies itself as ‘Intellectual Forum on Politics and Governance’ has shown that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is the preferred candidate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023.

The survey, which was carried out in February, asked Nigerians to choose their favourite from among Osinbajo, Bola Tinubu, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Atiku Abubakar.

It’s noteworthy that other politicians who have declared intention to contest for President include former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; River State Governor, Nyesom Wike; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha; Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former Abia State Governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu; among others.

“Analysis of the results clearly indicated that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was the citizens’ choice as the next President of Nigeria.” said the group.

This was contained in a statement signed by the  Group’s Deputy Chairman, Prof. Nasiru Yauri; Organising Secretary, Prof. Yahaya Baba; and Member, South East, Prof Ike Ogba.

A random sample of 12,000 names from the database of registered voters spread across all the geopolitical zones was used to arrive at the result of the group’s poll.

The poll showed that Osinbajo emerged as the favourite by polling 42.50 per cent, almost twice as much as 25.51 per cent polled by second place Atiku.

Kwankwaso came third with 18.07 per cent while 13.92 per cent of respondents selected Tinubu as their preferred presidential hopeful.

“It can be argued that if Bola Tinubu was not one of the selected candidates in this survey, the likelihood is that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo would have picked up most of the votes, that is the 13.92 per cent who voted for Bola Tinubu, taking him well over the 50% mark which is enough to win any election going by past record of elections in Nigeria.” the group noted.

The report disclosed that Osinbajo emerged as the leading candidate in all the geopolitical zones, and also the preferred aspirant by both males and females as shown in the result of the survey.

“Prof Yemi Osinbajo was clearly the preferred candidate for both males and females nationally, with 41.29 per cent of males selecting him as their choice and 46.38 per cent of females selecting him. This can be compared with 15.16 per cent of the male gender selecting Bola Tinubu and 9.95% of the female gender selecting Bola Tinubu as their preferred candidate for president.” the group said.

The Vice President, according to the group, also led in the South-West, South-East and South-South zones, Kwankwaso led in the North-West while Atiku led in the North-East.

However, the former Minister of Works and National Chairman, Southwest Agenda for Tinubu 2023 Presidential Ambition, Senator Dayo Adeyeye has questioned the credibility of the group behind the survey.

He said, “I have never heard about the group and I don’t know about their track record and experience in terms of carrying out surveys of this nature. So, I will not consider their survey nor will I bother about it.

“I want you to go back and check a lot of election surveys in the past and juxtapose them with the ultimate outcome of the elections, you will see a huge disparity between them.

“This particular group, I don’t know who they are. Nigeria is such a country where some people will wake up one day, find a bogus name for themselves and claim to have conducted surveys that nobody can verify.” Adeyeye opined.

Nigeria has really become a laughing stock. Someone or a certain group would emerge from nowhere and present to Nigerians a so-called survey conducted on political aspirants without presenting the parameters used in carrying out the exercise.

Come to think of it; so only 12,000 Nigerians are currently in possession of their Voter’s Cards, or are eligible to cast their votes? Besides, if the aforementioned figure was chosen at random, what criterion was exactly used to do so?

It’s even more laughable and shameful to realize that the said report was duly signed by so-called professors. If such signatories really hold water, it implies our revered learned individuals have descended so low. Or, could it be the implications of the ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)?

Nigerians ought to desist from this activity that portrays idleness and joblessness, and think of how to utilize their energies in ensuring a better Nigeria come 2023.

As a person, or a Nigerian, I absolutely have nothing against Osinbajo as regards his presidential ambition, but I detest observing where people ridicule themselves in the name of carrying out a national assignment.