I saw commentaries criticizing the new British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, for performing some Hindu rituals before entering his new office at 10 Downing Street – the official and executive office of the PM.
These criticisms are mostly coming from Christians in Nigeria, not the ones in the UK.
Basically, Nigerians think that the new Prime Minister being of Hindu religion will make Hindu-informed decisions for the UK.
But that is not true.
The Prime Minister of the UK is the leader of His Majesty's Government. His duty is to oversee the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies, chooses members of the government and be responsible for the policy and decisions of the government.
But the Monarchy (the Sovereign in particular) is the ultimate authority in the United Kingdom and rules over the nation as well as parliament through the Royal Prerogative, which are powers that are used according to the laws enacted in Parliament or within the confines of precedent and convention.
The Monarchy system of government as being practiced in the UK retains the Monarch as the keeper of the country's Constitutional flame.
The Monarch can use said powers to appoint and dismiss ministers; to summon Parliament, and give royal assent to bills passed by Parliament.
So the religion of any Prime Minister of the UK has nothing to do with the decision of its government because the UK has established rules.
Even in countries where the presidential system of government is practiced, basically, the presidency is naturally an institution. As an institution, there are established traditions, laws and practice that the system runs on. The president is not supposed to violate them.
Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the presidency is not operated as an institution. The rules could be changed by friends and family of the president or by the president himself.
So when Nigerians think of the British Prime Minister being Hindu, the impression of how our president abuse religion through executive powers came to mind. But it's not so elsewhere.
The UK PM being Hindu will not determined the prosperity of the UK. The scripture says that righteousness exalts a nation. Righteousness there does not refer to the nature impact to a person who gets born again.
It actually refers to the morality of society – moral rectitude, ethics and civility. This is what is lacking in the Nigerian society. Nigeria is not a righteous society because we don't play by the rules.
The UK is more righteous than we are.