Corruption and Democratic Sustenance in Nigeria, 1999-2015
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Date
2018
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Department of Political Science, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State
Abstract
The menace of corruption requires urgent attention and solution. Efforts at eradicating corruption most especially in new democracies of Africa have engendered studies on the nexus between corruption and democracy. While the menace of corruption is not unique to a particular country, Nigeria as a nation has no doubt had its dose of multifaceted challenges which is epitomised by incessant corruption. This paper examines corruption vis-a-vis democratic sustenance with particular reference to Nigeria from 1999 to 2015. Deriving data largely from secondary sources and analysing same through the qualitative method, it was discovered that while democracy has high potentials to prevent corruption its inherent tenets have been found to be corruption-inducing. The paper submits that since returning to democracy in 1999 the Nigerian state has been engulfed in monumental treasury looting and embezzlement of public funds by political office holders. The nation’s electoral process has been turned into a medium of disbursing national revenue by public and political office holders to favourite political cohorts, an act which has far reaching consequences on the country’s democratisation process and sustenance. It was however, concluded that reducing the paraphernalia of office and empowering anti-graft agencies are some of the ways by which the menace of corruption can be reduced.
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Keywords
Corruption, Democracy, Electoral Process, Good Governance