POLITICAL_AUTHORITY_AND_CORRUPTION_IN_NI-2

TOPIC: POLITICAL AUTHORITY AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA A MORAL IMPERATIVE BY Omaka, kalu ngele Ph.D A lecturer, Department of Religion and cultural studies University of Nigeria, Nsukka E-Mail: nglelorevd2003@yahoo.co.uk Phone No.:+2348034644454 & Ukandu, Ikechukwu Maxell Department of religion and cultural studies University of Nigeria, Nsukka E-mail:iketreasurefun101@yahoo.com Phone No.:+2348068208362 Abstract Corruption is a universal phenomenon, historical in scope and contemporary in impact and had continued to manifest itself in a number of was in Nigeria Some critics have ceased the occasion to accuse the Nigerian society of having no normative moral (compass) values, indeed, political values The strength of their criticism lies on the pervasive and astronomical increase in abnormalities especially of corruption Corruption in Nigeria ranges from petty to expansive ones in nature, from incidental to systemic one in setting and from political to bureaucratic ones in focus Political leader’s inability to use their moral authority to curb corruption is because they are at the fore-front of all imaginable corrupt practices Consequently, political destabilization, economic degradation, image deformation were results of the inability of the state to abate corruption among wilders of political authority It is the position of this paper that no meaningful solution can come by on the fight against corruption except political office holders understand the source of their authority and in turn use it purposely with a high sense of moral scruples INTRODUCTION Human history across diverse culture areas and era is replete with a wide range of debilitating challenges Some are believed to be natural disasters, while others are popularly acclaimed to have been caused by human agents, corruption is one such Nigeria, as are republic has not existed without her own share of these hitches As she had faced some peculiar challenges as evident in areas of food, shelter, health, economy, security and development with their psycho-spiritual and moral locations The Nigerian society is yet to transcend these challenges and look beyond her nose because of the systemic deficiencies inherent even at the highest level of government especially among the elected political office holders, who exercise political authority Political authority as the source, basis and climax for legitimate group control in a nation-state is an indispensable tool for the governance of societies History not doubt is full of plenty instances where unrestrained human desires have propelled many to engage in dehumanizing and grievous crimes against humanity, especially in the exercise or attempt to satisfy selfish interest or needs These heinous episodes as recorded by history are yet to be forgotten by many a scholar as evidences abound all around us Since it takes a group with political authority to legitimately intervene and resolve these crises spanning from excessive government- both civil and military It therefore follows that, for any meaningful social, religious, economic, technological development, diplomatic life of a people, political authority must be (legitimately) judiciously utilized in line with juridical competence, as it is a structured mechanism for the governance of society Authority is intertwined with power and intrinsically tied to a transcendent spiritual presence involved in earthly affairs Political authority therefore, form a socio-political perspective is an indispensable requirement for the smooth running of human societies, since no nation can overlook or pay mere lip service to it except with a willingness to a suffer its attendant consequences This is even more serious for country like Nigeria that did not experience a genuine and internally driven glamour for coming together as a nation-state let alone forming a federal government This externally induced and forceful amalgamation of the various peoples of the Niger-area, alongside the imported religion cultural influences from the western world has imposed a mentality of non-participation and alienation on the part of most political office holders and the masses perception on their exercise of political authority as it opposes their long held traditional authority Political office holders are primarily assembled to foster purposeful leadership geared towards the collective attainment of aspiration and goals in accordance with culturally obtainable resources (both material and nonmaterial) in organized human societies This effort in popular parlance is termed development Consequently, it therefore follows that, the quality of a country’s political institutions determines its economic and social development (stein, 2007) Development in its holistic sense, as a collective priority of mundane and ephemeral emphasis has suffered due to the abuses of political authority This is especially true, when political figures who have scaled through the huddles of electoral requirements are now working to destroy the system; been employed in the undoing of the collective sensibilities of the masses through corrupt practices by political office holders Politicians, political office holders and the entire political process have come to be treated with dismal distrust and perpetual disdain because of the long suffered dissatisfaction by various Nigerian peoples As corruption is a stumbling block to the people withholding them from enjoying the economic and social fruits of democracy (Alanamu, Adeoye and Yinusa, 2009) its resultant effects on the polity With facts, analysis and clarity on the various issues facing the Nigerian nation, the paper argues that for a healthy survival of the nation is dependent on moral virtuous such as honesty, accountability, transparency and conscientious avoidance of greed It portrays the state of Nigeria’s polity as a mischaracterization of political authority amidst widespread moral wreckage Conceptualization of terms The pertinence of an explanatory remark on our key terms cannot be overemphasized In this light, corruption and political authority will be given due attention Political Authority: The phrase “ political authority” is a household tem in the social sciences especially in the related fields of political philosophy, political theology and jurisprudence Primary, political authority is the legitimate right and power wielded by a state or sovereign entity, expressible in an interaction that culminate at official activities of political office holders which make their subjects obliged to comply to their decisions This right to rule is judge by the level of acceptance accorded such a state by the masses and is usually based on the source of its authority When authority is anchored on supernatural entities that are believed to be superior to man, obedience is compelled Political authority therefore, is the delegated reight imposed by the supernatural will on a state to rule and legislate on behalf of a society in guiding collective conduct, where duties and responsibilities among both parties are clearly defined that requires checkmating by the individuals in such a society Corruption: basically, the term corruption is an indication of a state of susceptibility to moral pervasion It is the abusive use of public or government power for illegitimate and selfish gains Wuana (2011:6) elaborately asserts that “corruption is a deviation from norms, traditions and” generally approved social order thereby encouraging cheating, nepotism, favouritism, tribalism, dishonesty, mistrust, bribery, disobedience to constituted authority” More importantly, in socio-political perspective, corruption is a deliberate attempt to take undue advantage of one’s political office and authority to benefit unduly form the good of the society A recurrent decimal in any definitive attempt on the term corruption, is the apparent misuse of authority for personal gains Corruption: a systemic challenge in Nigeria Conditions or mode of relationship among peoples in organized society that is wide spread and generally viewed to be against the norm because of its undesired effects or consequences to the group or society is always a source of concern to the people In this light, Ukwaba (2002) notes that: “corruption can be said to be systemic when all the various institutions and agencies, processes of state are routinely dominated and used by corrupt individuals and groups and in which many people have few practicable alternatives in dealing with corruption officials” (p.g 30) Systemic corruption and low levels of transparency and accountability have been a major source of development failures (Federal Government of Nigeria, 2004:100) in Nigeria The phenomenon of corruption seems to be our unofficial ideology, our lingual franca, the universal language which is spoken and understood in every nook and cranny of Nigeria (Momoh, 1991) Corruption as a social reality has been identified as one of the lucrative businesses in Nigeria capable of spinning unimaginable fortunes for the investor within a short time, since transparency and accountability in our private and public organization are far from being realized (Wuana, 2011) The cankerworm of corruption (Eze, 2002) Is not only alarming but also well instituted at all levels of social interaction in the entire social system Nnadozie (2010) observed that corruption is tenable in Nigeria as there is hardly any issue or situation that is not overly or covertly associated in one form of corruption or the other The extent of this social malaise has culminated at an unofficially, yet, well constituted Kleptocratic system of government that has flourished based on corruption as its propelling ideology A situation were implementation of policies are seasoned with attendant corrupt practices despite the already existing technicalities of religion-cultural, social, economic and political factors that normally impede the process is truly alarming Corruption at administrative quarters is manifested through over inflation on the prices of goods and services especially contracts, materials for projects, furniture and fittings, accessories among others and these makes rubbish of our bureaucratic setpus Nigeria cannot afford the social, political or economic costs that systemic corruption has inflicted (Obasanjo, 2003) Ejikeme (2011:3) observed the systemic challenge and reach of corruption in Nigeria when he quips that, “the menace of corruption leads to slow movement of files in offices, police extortion , tollgates on highways, port congestion, queues at passport offices and petrol stations, ghost workers syndrome, election irregularities among others” With these vast reach of corrupt expressions as enumerated by Ejikeme, it is logically admissible that, all spheres of Nigerian legislative and administrative life is under siege Its extractive, manufacturing, processing and servicing fields are equally consumed with this same corrupt zeal and favour The public and private sectors are inclusive in this psychosocial malady Corruption which is pandemic, is no less the bane of Nigeria (Dole 2005) To be more explicit, members of the military are fully compliant to the corruption tide as they have displayed a very high morale in amassing wealth Despite their decried distaste on the civilian regimes all through the political history of Nigeria, they gave the vice (corruption ) their best shoot: a touch of brute and official recognition and approval Thereby making the maxim “opportunity makes a thief” a truism at least in Nigeria The Nigeria police, a subset of the armed forces have proven their unrelenting zeal to match the latter, tact for tact and corruption for corruption Their popular false detention, deception and direct extortion from the masses on supposed road check-points even in their station and the wide spread notion of their almost always involvement on the promotion of crimes especially in aideing criminals with small and light arms, is sufficient clue to read in-between the lines that they are fighting effortlessly to retain the title of “the most corrupt force” and indeed agency in Nigeria What can be said of a group whose self perception of morality, integrity and shame is absolved in the blackness of their uniform? The police popular orientation is at best thought provoking in nothingness and at worst irritating Custom officers are in the habit of confiscating contraband goods for their usage, legal practitioners’ conscientiously perverse justice with impunity in favour of the highest bribe giver and neglect their traditional roles by according protection to corrupt political leaders The various levels of our educational system have birthed a laudable methodology for the preservation of their corrupt practices.Our memory wont fail us to make mention of the well organized and corporate corruption in the business world With a capitalist This of course is an antithesis to development Since the political class cannot live up to their moral expectation or demand, no doubt, the high magnitude of corruption has caused disorientation of values and the redundancy of the slaw (Eme, 2008) and legal instruments A situation when ones work is not regarded as God’s calling, one would find it very difficult to see wealth as God’s gift that must be used judiciously for God’s glory Corruption has debilitated and dehumanized the citizenry so much as a people that the image of an average Nigerian is badly battered within and outside the country The inability to effectively implement policies is a manifestation of gross irregularity and inconsistency among political office holders that enjoys political authority The fear that corruption if not properly handled can discourage foreign investments as the lack of transparency, accountability and gross misuse of office does not promote a solid environment for a meaningful international partnership, has not bothered political leaders rather they conduct their business as usual Money change hands with reckless abandon as the “smart” and “crook” dominate sensitive and influential positions and reserve the prerogative to replicate themselves and as Nwigwe (2008) noted, by saturating the system with unqualified, incompetent and dubious cronies and relations The fear is that official corruption if not checked as observed by Diamond (1993) cited in Oko (2002) possess a corrosive potential that can ultimately destroy Nigeria The summary is that the widespread fear that anti-corruption efforts have in the long run failed to improve the living standards of the average Nigeria (Crises Group, 2006) is a pointer to that fact that the practice has almost become a norm in Nigeria’s political process (Arowolo, 2010) hence, it is popularly conceived as efforts in futility With all the efforts made by the government in an attempt to ameliorate corruption one wonders if it there is not a problem of mischaracterization since a solution is not evident may be because corruption goes hand in hand with any effort to abate it Contributing factors to Political Corruption A number of factors have contributed to the level of political corruption in Nigeria They range from moral to social, personal to family and psychological to material Within this work for the purpose of brevity and precision, moral and spiritual bankruptcy, poor leadership quality, greed and excessive ambition, and lost for materialism, will be discussed Moral and Spiritual Bankruptcy: social norms which hold society together, acquire their binding sense and norms of sacredness from religion (Madu, 1996) Every religion encompasses a moral code that stipulates the dos and don’ts for the regulation of human conduct (Onyeidu, 2001) A life nurtured in sensitivity to self, others and God is the hallmark of human blessedness, especially when the search for direction and meaning culminates at self-development and a proper understanding of human psychology (Hinnells, 1997) These requirements for a healthy society seem to be on the wan in Nigeria, where the political office holders tend to say nothing and nothing about the moral virtues of the African life Morality as an important ingredient for living in human society is increasingly being abandoned in public and political life Moral anarchy as Madu (1996) puts it is an indication of the decline of religion This decline in religiosity is owing largely to a wide spread moral and spiritual bankruptcy that has weaken the moral fiber and destroyed all traces of moral compass that can lead in any meaning social relationship with others in the society, of which is essentially lacking in our political office holders, as there seem to be a crisis of value that ultimately result in corruption Poor Leadership Quality: A debased moral life has a far reaching impact on the personality of a person and it is more pronounce on leaders because they are public figures with the sport light always on them The bulk of Nigerian past leaders are military officers who have been groomed with an orientation that makes everything they view require force for any meaningful resolve The policy of one size fit all’ made them to use square pegs on round holes in all operations That most of our political leaders were lacking essentially in administrative and leadership competence is unequivocal Most of the past governments in Nigeria, were not sincere to the masses and their corrupt practices created an avenue for mass looting of the treasury, where ‘sharp practices’ soared in their peak and a federal system of corruption well decentralized of which the Nigerian people and her posterity remembers them with disgust and ingratitude Greed and Exessive Ambition: Corruption among political office holders is widely acknowledged as a crime of gree This greed looms large in themanner, wealth and power is been pursued in the polity without reference to fair and moderation Excessive ambition as occasioned by greed for control of the political process is what makes politicians and even elected public officials to be wiling to give and anything to get at the top of the political process and entire affairs The cases of contract inflation, demand for ‘kick-backs’ embezzlement, misappropriation among others are causative factor to political corruption at the peak of political authority Lust for Materialism: collectivistic and communitarian living that characterize core African values, have give way to egoistic and hedonistic orientations that culminates at materialism A valueless culture seem operational as heralded at the wake of colonialism in Africa which instilled a deep seated cultural shock in diverse sphere of the African life (Anyanwu, 2009) Moral scruples as sustained by self-discipline is highly distorted in Nigeria that, the quest for pleasure and self-aggrandizement is now the order of the day Corruption became pandemic when the absence of adherence to normative behaviour among political office holders has made vices to become the order of the day The view of Agha (2010) comes to mind when he noted that, men have devised wrong ethical tools and chosen vices to enable them attain therir insidious objectives Money has become an end in itself to the exten that money is seen as the most valuable commodity Political Authority and the Fight against Corruption in Nigeria: A CHASE AFTER WINDS The downplay of morality in the nation seems of have bid farewell to love, justice, trust, patience, honesty, integrity, fairness, accountability and selfless service, and other virtues, and it welcomes corruption (Adebayo, 2010) We are not in doubt that corruption also exist among other nations of the world, what is different as Wunan (2011:3)puts it is”… the level of permissiveness, tolerance and intensity of the crime” A long list of ineffective policies and agencies have been adopted and set-p to curb the menace of corruption in Nigeria over the years They include War against Indiscippline (WAI) of the Buhari-Idagbon Administation, the Mass Mobilization for Social Justic and Economic Reconstruction (MAMSER) of Babangida’s Administration, the Code of conduct Bureau, the Idependent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)among other strategies and action plans put in place but they have no yielded Okorie (2008) saw the insincerity in the civilian government towards the fight on corruption when observed that; At the twilight of return to democratic rule in Nigeria… politicians came up with ideas that made it look like the military were the worst specie of corrupt people hence some parties avoided those they branded military apologist But as the political train moved, startling revelations of embezzlement, illegal money transfer, political assassination, similar to coup, election rigging in form of electoral coup emerged from federal to local (p.g 15) The attendant making and concurrent breaking of such laws by anti-craft bodies are sustained in perpetual self deception and will lead pen-ultimately in nothingness The self deception policy of political office holders has engraved the epidemic into the very fabric of the Nigerian society In this light, Johnston (2005) noted that, a reason for the protracted menace of corruption may be anchored on the interest of political leaders and the success of a corruption policy As political office holders cannot employ the right tools in the war against corruption, since they are the ones who stand to profit most from the yields of a corrupt system Corruption as are current woe in Nigerian catalogue of human induced challenges, has been so institutionalized that many Nigerians either by act of commission or omission have come to see it as a way of life, as it has taken root into the nation’s socio-economic and political strata Corruption seems to have defiled all measures adapted to combat it (Nwigwe, 2008) cited in Okorie (2008) Come to think of it, how can one expect political elite who profit from the well established socio-political and economic make-up in Nigeria to bring about a lasting solution to the menace? When the state is a major instrument of class formation, wealth accumulation, exploitation and domination and the ruling class in strong alliance with political elite and bureaucrat who view corruption not as an end in itself, but as a tool for the sustenance of power structure and political control Bangbose (2011) Corruption therefore in Nigeria politics is now an access either to building up or maintaining the political class in our democracy (Bamgbose, 2011) Before now the trend was ‘a problem known is half solved’ But now it seems ‘a problem known can never be solved’ One sincerely wonders if the Nigerian government has studied in clear terms the root causes of corruption and agreed to solver her development challenges even as it seems that all elected political office holders have been immersed in the stinking pool of corruption That is why despite the laudable and bold steps of the Obansanjo administration from 1999-2007 on the fight against corruption in the country it never skipped the critical mind of Ukwaba (2002) when he observed that, Obansanjo’s anti-corruption rehetorics are not honestly and sincerely focused and that it is a political weapon meant to deal with opponents of the government There seem to be well articulated government manipulation of public perception of success on the fight against corruption as political (affiliation) understone coloured the cases that make news in the sense of a politically selective indictment Former Governor Alamiegesighe of Basyelsa state who “was arrested in London on 15 th September, 2005 and accused by Bristish authorities of money laundering” (Crises Group, 2006) would serve as a hand ready pointer to this reality as other governors who did worst but were at peace with the powers that be were never mentioned nor apprehended Alamieyeseigha’s apprehension was construced from an ethnic antagonistic view point, since he was noted as an Ijaw nationalist Nnadozie (2010)is on less sensitive to have rightly noted that, our leaders must be made to give account of their deeds especially after leaving office because of their corrupt practices, if we are to move forward This is as a result of political leader’s ineffectiveness to use their political authority to curb corruption as they were at the fore-front of all imaginable corrupt practices The Moral Imperative Core Nigerian values have suffered neglect in contemporary times especially after the cultural shock that characterized the religiocultural influences from the western world that have to a large extent discolored our value landscape It can be said without any fear of equivocation that, “what we or leave undone are determined or influenced by our values” (Anyanwu, 2009:3) The successful pursuit of a national virtue has often been nurtured and advanced by the inculcation of good moral and ethical values in the citizenry” (Federal government of Nigeria, 2004:100), to tame the scourge of corruption, so much has been said and done, yet, the menace still blossoms With an understanding that morality; a guide to human behavior is dependent on a value system and that the Nigeria cultural heritage is currently suffering from a value-less moral configuration Bringing the attendant condition of moral values crises to bear, we recommend the under-enumerated; Authority and power which are divinely endued on officials should be used in the service to the Nigeria peoples Political authority should be respected as it is from the people and indeed God, hence it required responsible administration and accountability when the society is been served An enlarged capacity for integrity and good citizenship through the inculcation of an upright work ethic, pride on the father land with an awakened national consciousness; will create a mental environment that will make national consciousness over-ride other cleavages The need to carry out a mass-orientation especially on the youths, on core values and the need to cultivate virtues and put it to practice as an ultimate solution to change hearts and minds is a moral necessity, as they are the political leaders of today The need to re-enforce the instrumental checks and balances among the country’s major social forces is highly needed When adequate exposure (naming and shaming) and punishment is not given to deter a wrong behavior liked corruption, then others would be emboldened to join and continue in the crime Her, the judiciary has a role to play inline with their constitutionally stipulated roles political parties should be meticulous on their ideologies These ideologies should be firmly rooted in anti-corruption strategies and precise punitive measures included and meticulously followed on implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects politics and the entire political process should be drastically demonetized and largely professionalized for experts in the human sciences especially the humanities because of their relatively rich moral scruples and empathy they exhibit on the human experience in society the place of mass medial cannot be dispensed with when it comes to the fight against corruption in any polity Hence, the upper legislative house should quit the politics they have been playing with the freedom of Information Bill (FIB), considered its salience, the bill is long overdue CONCLUSION The prevailing ideology and fundamental orientation that sustained the political system in Nigeria was corruption-based The fundamental challenge on the face of political authority as an institutional power is on less the menace of corruption and this cannot be wished away, as political corruption has undermined the moral focus of the Nigerian government to transform the socio-economic landscape of the Nigeria society despite the legitimate exercise of political authority by political office holders The institutions of government should be overhauled through a conscientious national re-orientation and moral re-awakening Corruption therefore, if unchecked in Nigeria can lead to political and economic isolation from the comity of nations REFERENCE Adebayo, I.R (2010) Ethno-religious crises and the challenges of sustainable development in Africa Vol 12, No.4,2010 Agha, U.A (2010) Religious ethics in a permissive society Abakaliki: SAPS (Nig.) Alanamu, A.S., Adeoye, M.N and Yinusa, M A (2009) The role of religions in combating corruption in Nigeria In Enweremadu, D.U and Okafor E.E (Eds.) Anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria since 1999.Issues, challenges and the way forward Ibadan: IFRA Special Research Issue Vol.3, 2009 Amucheazi, E (1999) Government, people and struggle against corruption in Nigeria In Amucheazi, E., Ogbuagu, C.and Oleru, J (Eds.) Moving Nigeria to greatness Owerri: M Cajec Publishers Anyanwu, S.O (2009) Religion and human values in a secular age Owerri: Edu-Edy Publisher Arowolo, D (2010) The state, bureaucracy and corruption in Nigeria Retrieved form http://www.academicleadership Org/article/THE STATE BUREAUCRACY AND CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA on 31/03/2011 Bamgbose, J A (2011)./ political corruption and dilemma of democracy in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic In Ituma, E, A (Ed.) International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences Vol Nsukka: Society for Research and Academic Excellence University of Nigeria, Nsukka Chuta, S.C (2004) Corruption in Nigeria Nsukka: Afro-Orbis publications Limited International Cries Group, (2006) Fuelling Niger delta crises Africa Report No 118 September 2006 Diamond, L (1993) Nigeria’s Perennial struggle against corruption: Prospect for the third republic In Oko, O (2002) Subverting the scourge of corruption in Nigeria: A freeform prospectus Server03/production/n/ny`/34-2/ny1203.txt,seq:73,22-August02 8:33 Dike, V.E (2005) Corruption in Nigeria: A New paradigm for effective control Retrieved form http://africaneconomicanalysis.org/articles/gen/corruptiondikeht m html Ejikeme, P.O (2011) Corruption and collapse of education in Nigeria Awka: A Paper Presented at the 6th Pope John Paul 11 Annual Memorial Lecture to Mark the Six Years Anniversary of His Death at Pope John 11 Major Seminary Okpuno Eroje, M.O (2002) Bandwagon of clientele Eze, N (2002) The causes of corruption in Nigeria and the way forward In Ugwu C.O.T (Ed.) Corruption in Nigeria: Critical perspectives Nsukka: Chuka Educational Publishers Federal Government of Nigeria, (2004) National Economic empowerment and development strategies Abuja: National Planning Commission Hinnels, J.R (1997) (Ed.) The penguin dictionary of religions London: Penguin Books Limited (Second Edition)