THE EMBER OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: AN IMPEDIMENT TO GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Abstract Political corruption among other factors is one of the major clogs militating against Nigeria‟s quest for growth and development. It is a paralysis of our economy. We all know it exists. We birthed and nurtured it. It now stood unconquered in our social and economic lives despite all the fights against it. It is the fundamental reason for Nigeria's poor economic performance despite our globally acknowledged economic potential as one the largest economies in the world amid massive corruption, increasing rate of graduates‟ unemployment, infant and child mortality, poverty, and so on. The fight must be won to enable Nigeria to take her rightful place among the comity of nations. This paper examined political corruption, growth and development in Nigeria. It focused on the 2nd republic (1979-83); 3rd and 4th republic (1999-2007); 5th and 6th republic (2007-2014). The method adopted is historical research, and analysis from the platform of Bonger‟s economic theory of crime. The paper finds that political corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of our society. It is also systemic and militating greatly against Nigeria's growth and development. The paper recommends the welfarist/socialist alternative economic system for Nigeria against the capitalist alternative; bridging gaps in our constitution on sections that aid and abet corrupt practices among others.