The Church And Democracy: A Case Study Of Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu Of Benue State Nigeria

PREFACE

The thesis is holistically set to investigate the roles of the church in the democratic governance in Nigeria with particular reference to the efforts and activities of Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu in democratic realization in Benue State. The work is divided into six chapters. Chapter one introduces the work by stating the background of the study, the problem the entire thesis is out to solve, the aim, scope and the methodology of the work. Chapter two is the literature review on the subject matter of our discourse. Here we shall examine the church; its meaning and involvement in the furtherance of democracy in the nation’s politics. We shall also probe into the meaning of democracy and the level of its application in the Nigerian political system. In this chapter, the practice and experience of politics will be put vis-aviz with their results in Nigeria. The views of the authors, regarding the church’s roles in Nigerian politics and democracy will be sought for. Chapter three centers on Fr. Adasu and his contributions in the realization of democracy in Benue State of Nigeria. This will include the story of the humble beginnings of Fr. Adasu, his political ambitions, his political antecedents, political career, Lessons from Fr. Adasu’s political intervention, his achievements and weaknesses. We shall establish whether Fr. Adasu’s political contributions were seen as a break through in the church’s understanding of her mission in search for democracy or not. Chapter four treats the critical assessment of democracy and governance in Nigeria: the view of the Catholic Church. The Catholic notion of Democracy, the influence of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria through Justice, Development and Peace Commission. Lastly the dividends of democracy will be ex-rayed . Chapter five focuses on the local context of the study, the local evaluation of the activities of Fr. Adasu, field work investigations such as the questionnaires and its report, Oral Interview among the priests and the laity of Benue State: Catholics and non Catholics. Participant Observation, and finally the journey of Democracy in Benue State since 1960. In chapter six we shall evaluate the work, make recommendations and draw our conclusions from the for-going arguments.