SIR: Morality has suffered a serious setback in Nigeria, because the only immorality known to many Christians and Muslims is sexual “aberration”. Consequently, too many Christian and Muslim preachers rarely criticize politico-economic exploitation that is at the root of Nigeria’s woes. Many of the political rulers hate to see beggars on the streets, because they are affront to their consciences. Yet, unemployment looms large, due to lack of adequate infrastructure to support industrial boom.

Nigeria is in serious crisis, because the only rule guiding politics and civil service is self-interest. Many of the governors overlook positive areas of development and start demolishing people’s houses and shops to “beautify” the town. Meanwhile, they find no solution to lack of potable water, epileptic electricity, ill-equipped hospitals and schools, etc.

Meanwhile, many Christian and Muslim clerics turn blind eyes to the prevalent corruption, so as to obtain and protect their own shares of the loot. Yes, they have the vocation to preach, but they hide under the pretence of attacking sexual “immorality”, as in “indecent” dressing and homosexuality.

To many Muslims and Christians, apparently, sexual immorality is worse in the sight of “God”; politico-economic exploitation is a venial sin. Unfortunately, many universities are not different. Hence some university administrators mount pressure on “indecent” dressing, while strategising on short-changing the staff on salaries and allowances. They domesticate the workers’ unions toward total and unmitigated exploitation, instructing the university security officers to disperse “illegal” gatherings.

In some universities, the administrators engineer law lecturers to procure ways of circumventing the rule of law. Falsehood and falsification rule the land. What is most scandalous is the tactical involvement of students in the war against “rebel” lecturers. What happens to freedom of association?

The Federal Government spends money with wanton abandon on useless things, while basic amenities are neglected. State and local governments sink near innumerable boreholes, rather than attending to dams, thereby planting the seed of future earthquakes, as happen in borehole infested territories.

Christo-Islamic leaders encourage corruption by inviting political leaders to launchings. They relish “serving” in the pilgrim boards and having profitable flights to the “holy lands” to pray for Nigeria in distress. Hopefully one day, ordinary Nigerians will be wise enough to insist that religion be separated from politics.

• Pius Abioje,

University of Ilorin.