Morality, Leadership and Governance; Setting Models for Responsible Political Leadership in Nigeria
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Date
2018-01
Authors
Olatunji Abdulganiy
Noah Yusuf
Issah Moshood
Ibrahim ABdullahi Kayode
Lawal Ebenezer Ejalonibu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Federal University, Lokoja
Abstract
Morality is concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviours. While no society has strict laws governing morality among its members, nevertheless, there are strong moral codes and rules expected of them. Religious doctrines also contain specific injunctions on basic moral principles guiding adherents. Thus, every society has guidelines for the moral conduct of its people. The concern of this paper is the nexus between morality, leadership and governance with a view to setting a template for responsible political leadership in Nigeria. The contemporary Nigerian society has witnessed a steady decline in moral standards over the years. In particular, concern has been expressed on the apparent immoral conducts of the nation’s political actors at all levels. Rather than being an avenue for national development, politics in Nigeria has become a lucrative business venture for different calibers of people. Thus, as a purely business enterprise, only those who have money (money bags) could venture into it for the sole purpose of making more money (profits). The results of this are reflected in decades of under-development, political instability, corruption and infrastructural decay. The paper addresses this vexed issue of morality, leadership and governance in Nigeria. It draws a parallel between moral decadence and bad governance in the country and demonstrated that in several ways, the current political, economic and social travails bedeviling the country are not unconnected with the moral decline among both rulers and the ruled. Consequently, the paper set a template for responsible political leadership in the country through moral rebirth.
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Keywords
Governance, Money-bags, Morality, Political leadership, Religions