Factors Militating Against Democratic Governance in Nigeria: Appraising the Causes of Political Corruption in Bayelsa State (Published)
Political corruption is a global phenomenon that has continued to hinder the practice of democracy in all political environments, inhibiting the dividends of democratic governance. As contained in this study, the causes of political corruption in Bayelsa State, like in any other political environment includes; ostentatious lifestyle of the political class, primordial sentiment, weak institution, an unenlightened followership, inequality and poverty, bad governance etc. This study, “Factors Militating against democratic governance appraising the causes of political corruption in Bayelsa State, is an examination of the causes of political corruption and how they inhibit the dividends of democratic governance. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods in the collection and analysis of data. The elite theory was employed as the theoretical framework for the study, to explain the personalisation of governance by the political class. It is observed that, in a bid to continue to personalise governance in the state, the political class have put in place measures to maintain the status quo. The persistence of this phenomenon denies the state infrastructural and human capital development, therefore civil society groups should rise up to the occasion to enlighten the people on the evils of political corruption, and ensure they (people) stand to defend their votes during elections.
Keywords: Bayelsa State, Corruption, democratic governor, political corruption
The Challenges of Democratic Governance in Bayelsa State: Exploring Political Corruption (Published)
Political corruption has continued to pose a hindrance to democratic governance in Bayelsa State since the birth of democracy in 1999 in the state. This study, “interrogating the interface between Political corruption and Democratic Governance in Bayelsa State”, examines the relationship between political corruption and democratic governance. Political corruption impedes the benefits of democratic governance, however one must first acquire political power before becoming politically, Corrupt. From the beginning of the first republic to date, democratic governance in the state (Bayelsa State) has not really given much to the people. As the State with the least number of Local Government Areas in Nigeria’s Federal system, the level of development is not commensurate with the amount of financial resources received including the 13% oil revenue it had received from the federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) of the federal government. This is not unconnected to a corrupt political class in the state. The first executive governor of the state was convicted of corruption, and two past governors of the state were entangled in corruption charges. What are the effects of political corruption? It is observed in this study that, infrastructural and human capital under development in the state are major outcomes of political corruption. The only way to do away with this class of politicians is through the ballot, therefore there should be serious sensitization of the people, championed by Civil Society Groups (CSOs) on the evils of political corruption, and the need for them to reject any financial or material gifts as inducements from the political class especially on the day of election.
Keywords: Bayelsa State, Democracy, Governance, political corruption