REFLECTIONS ON POLITICS AND POLITICIANS OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The subject matter of politics represents a significant and interesting arena among people all over the world much as it has remained a part and parcel of human societies and human relations since time immemorial. In Nigeria, politics has come to be acknowledged not just as an academic field of study but as a vocation or profession as more often than not, people that are engaged in political activities, especially at the state's realm often clad themselves as 'professional politicians'. However, an observed trend in Nigeria is that politics and politicians have acquired definite characters over the years, such as criminalisation of politics, a pathological orientation and a penchant not to abide by the rules, all of which are antithetical to the goals and aspirations of a democratic society. By examining the pattern of politics in the country and the character of politicians, this paper posits that there is an intricate relationship between the context of politics and the character of politicians in Nigeria thereby forming a circle of political maneuverings. Overcoming this trend requires th institutional reforms and attitudinal re orientation.