ELEVATING DEMOCRATIC VIRTUES OVER CORRUPTION VICES: THE WAY NIGERIA SHOULD GO
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Authors: Simeon Igbinedion
Keywords: corruption, political economy of corruption, democracy, electoral malpractices
Abstract: This paper examines the way and manner in which the virtues of democracy can be elevated over the vices of corruption in Nigeria. Democracy is a governance model based on the utilitarian proposition of satisfying the greatest happiness of the greatest number. On the other hand, corruption is an act where a public official abuses his power for his personal gain to the detriment of the general public. Therefore, democracy and corruption are diametrically opposed to each other. Since 1960 when the country gained independence from the United Kingdom, corruption has been so rife in our polity that several military despots cited it as a key reason for their misadventure into the political life of the country. The transfer of power from military dictatorship to a democratically elected government in 1999 ought to be an opportunity to disconnect corruption from democracy. But that is not the case as democracy and corruption have become inseparable Siamese twins in the governance of the country. In Nigeria, democracy has cultivated close relationship with corruption based on the Machiavellian conviction of the end justifying the means. Specifically, so-called democratic actors or institutions have been using corrupt means such as electoral malpractices, illicit campaign financing, etc. to achieve the end of capturing power. This paper argues that such parasitic relationship between democracy and corruption drags the ideals of democracy in the mud and negatively affects service delivery or democracy dividends to the citizens. This justifies the combat of corruption which the paper argues must be carried out without sacrificing the precepts of rule of law. However, the paper contends that it is inadequate to combat corruption by exclusively focusing on consolidating or facilitating democracy and civic engagement without simultaneously incorporating anti-corruption measures that seek to address the political economy of corruption in the country. Finally, the paper suggests two broad measures targeted at democracy and the political economy of Nigeria with the hope that they will help in elevating the ideals of democracy over the vices of corruption.