Nigeria, Africa’s Political Giant of Corruption
No Comments
As AllAfrica reports, to run a democratic government in Nigeria is very expensive but the people that run the government determine the political system. In the recent past, the Federal Government has been bedeviled with high- profile corruption which emanated from the military interregnum but has continued under the civilian government. Yet, corruption undermines everything the law enforcement community works toward. It impoverishes whole communities and threatens the safety and security of the many for the benefit of a very few.
Corruption is a multifaceted phenomenon supported by different historical and socio-economic conditions in each country. It exists at all levels of society. Although in the past it could have been considered a largely domestic issue, corruption now often transcends national boundaries. Its consequences are global; its hidden costs immense.
The private sector has responded by implementing ethics and compliance standards and regulations, while the public sector benefits from the ratification of recent laws and international conventions. Oversight bodies and mechanisms have been created to ensure the smooth running of efforts in both sectors. Corruption remains rampant in many countries, continuing to siphon off valuable resources and economic gains.
Political corruption is not a recent phenomenon that pervades the Nigerian State. Since the creation of modern public administration in the country, there have been cases of official misuse of resources for personal enrichment. The rise of public administration and the discovery of oil and natural gas are two major events seen to have led to the litany of ignoble corrupt practices in the country. Over the years, the country has seen its wealth withered with little to showing in living conditions of the average human being. A Nigerian political leader, Obafemi Awolowo raised a salient issue when he said, since independence, our governments have been a matter of few holding the cow for the strongest and most cunning to milk. Under those circumstances everybody runs over everyday to make good at the expense of others. Corruption has been blamed on colonialism.
According to this view, the nation’s colonial history may have restricted any early influence in an ethical revolution. Throughout the colonial period, most Nigerians were stuck in ignorance and poverty. The trappings of flashy cars, magnificent houses were seen as symbols of success to be emulated from the colonialists in different political ways. Involvement in the agenda of colonial rule may also in habit idealism in the early stage of the nascent nation’s development. A view the community held during the colonial days was that the colonialist’s property, (cars, houses, farms etc) is not “Our” property. This vandalism and looting of public property was not seen as a crime against society. This view is what has degenerated into the more recent disregard for public property and lack of public trust and concern for public goods as a collective national property.
In Nigeria, particularly, corruption is celebrated as a man who just got married to a beautiful wife. Corruption, through prevalent, was kept at manageable levels during the First Republic, however, the cases of corruption during the period were sometimes clouded by political infighting. Azikwe the first major political figure was investigated for questionable practices. In 1944, a firm belonging to him bought a Bank in Lagos. The Bank was procured to strengthen local control of the Financial Industry.
In Western Nigeria, politician Adegoke Adelabi was investigated following charges of political corruption leveled against him by the opposition. The report led to the demand for his resignation as District Council head.
In the Northern region, against the back-drop of corruption allegations leveled against some native authority officials in Bornu the Northern Government enacted a law to forestall any further breach of administrative procedure. Similarly, under the military regime, several millions of dollars were siphoned into foreign banks. The various military governments legalized corruption which transferred to the civilian government.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria has recorded many cases of deadly corrupt practices involving public officers. Despite that the fact that former president Olusegun Obasanjo introduced the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to curb the menace of corruption of Public Office Holders, yet corruption has refused to go. Public offices are now synonymous of corruption as integrity, accountability and transparency are gradually fading out of the political system. Corruption is identified with the Nigeria police, political parties, National and State Assemblies, Federal, State and local governments, Traffic Police, FRSC and PHCN.
Democratic corruption is more pronounced in Nigeria which makes it difficult to conduct free and credible elections in recent years until Professor Jega resurrected the political structure. Nigeria is presently ranked as 121 of 178 all over the world as the most corrupt nation. Transparency Intervention Corruption Perception Index (TICPI) and Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC) together with Civil Society Organizations have equally listed the epidemic corruption in Nigeria. It is sad that public and private office holders are now perpetrating political and economic debauchery.
The recently concluded 2011 elections have indicated that many political office holders’ seekers have spent so much money while campaigning. Most politicians would like to recoup their money before considering the masses that voted them into power. Nigeria is the giant of Africa but glued with deadly corrupt leaders who have made themselves demi-gods without considering the implications. Corrupt leaders are more celebrated than good leaders.
Although corruption can often be seen as purely a domestic issue, the international dimension of corruption is no less important, as corrupt acts usually take place in multiple places and are generally linked to crimes carried out in other countries. President Goodluck Jonathan must fight corruption to have workable institutions in the country. All hands must be on deck to fight corruption.