EFFECT OF CORRUPTION ON THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL IN KOGI STATE

EFFECT OF CORRUPTION ON THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL IN KOGI STATE

(A CASE STUDY OF IBAJI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

There is no doubt that corruption has and continues to inhibit the growth and development of any nation. Corruption, an omnibus phenomenon manifested in a diverse way and affect both internal and external aspect of the life of the citizenry. In the same vein corruption affects each quality, cash inflow and invariably a wrong decision and the implementation of policy.

This research work will focus on the effect of various policies to fight against this monster called corruption which has threatened to destroy the electoral process.

1.1  BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Corruption is as old as mankind, corruption is an act of committing crime. Corruption has become a cankerworm that has eaten deeply into the society. It is also persuasive that both public and private sector are affected. So corruption now affect every aspect of the economy at various level of government especially the local government.

It is a constant topic of conversation among all various courses and even when every body seems to complain about it, every body (especially in Nigeria) is involved in it one way or the other.

Infact, corruption started from those who abuse the position of authority. So many Ibaji indigene are involved in the act of giving or taking bribe to gain one advantage or the other which is considered acceptable in every facet of the society. On the assumption of office by the present local government chairman, he made clear to the people that his administration was going to wage war against corruption and its effects. Using the entire weapon that can be justified in democratic society.

In looking into the effect of corruption on the local government policies by successive administration in the local government council, the past administration went ahead to wage war and to prohibit bribery and corruption to the National Assembly, for amendment especially corrupt practices by public office holders such as political office holders both elected and selected or appointed.

According to the researcher, the chairman is only enforcing and amending where necessary the policy of corruption that past administration have introduced in other to make sure that they are in full force.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

What actually motivates the researcher into this topic of study is the complexity embedded in the concept of corruption. Corruption has become the common usage of everybody in the society today. In other words, Nigeria is one of the most highly rated corrupt country in the world. There has been so many policies made by previous government in Nigeria aimed at combating corruption and the cry on the effects, despite this, corruption is still growing and waxing stronger day by day. However, below are some of the statement of problems for this research;

1. Distribution of social integrity: Corruption has in no small measure distorted the social integrity of Nigerians and Ibaji local government area in particular, this has manifested in the conduct of elections in the local government where all forms of electoral malpractices were detected which has led to cancellation and non-acceptance of election results in the area thereby leading to re-run of elections.
2. Electoral violence: Corruption has led to series of electoral violence in local government areas especially Ibaji local government area and this has led to burning down of houses, killing of innocent people, having access to gun illegally and destruction of lives and properties. All these are attributed to a situation where parties or contestants bribe polling officers in order to falsify figures to their favour thereby raising tension among supporters which in many times lead to violence.
3. Election rigging: From the information gathered from the respondents, it reveals that corruption has been or is the reason for various rigging during election in Ibaji local government area and that this problem has also lead to the choice of wrong leaders as people were afraid to select or vote for the candidates of the choice since electoral violence became a great phenomenon.
4. Imposition of candidate: Corruption has also become the reason for frequent imposition of candidate on Ibaji people in an election. This occurs when contestant bribe the traditional rulers in order for them to win or persuade the people to support him/her irrespective of the candidates suitability in terms of credibility wealth of experience and leadership charisma. This study will therefore suggest ways to fighting against all the aforementioned in subsequent chapter.

1.3  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This research after carefully examining the topic, brings out the following set of objectives which includes;

1. To study the meaning of corruption in Nigeria
2. To study the effects of corruption in Nigeria especially at the local government level
3. Study the strategies for minimizing or total elimination of corruption from the society and
4. Proffer workable solutions to the problems of corruption in Nigeria.

1.4  SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study covers the meaning and nature of corruption, it effects and the likely solution that can be adopted in Nigeria.

The limiting factors which affects the extensive investigation or research on this study includes; time factor, finance and un-cooperative attitude of respondents to release facts from public offices, educational institutions, pressure group, religious institutions and individuals.

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The completion of this research work will be a great significance to students, private and public sector and the society at large in the following ways:

It is away of fulfilling one of the criteria demands from students to obtain certificate from polytechnic.

Also, some recommendations will be made on how best the student, individual and groups can find solution to the problem of corruption in the society.

With all the above background, if al the relationship between the individual and the various segments from all kind of corrupt practices, the economy of the local government can improve for the benefit of all Nigerians.

1.6  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

For the purpose of this project, the researcher outlined the following research questions.

1. How did corruption originate in Nigeria?
2. What policies have government implement or put in place to combat corruption in Nigeria
3. What are the solution to corruption in Nigeria
4. What is the meaning of corruption

1.7  ORGANIZATION OF STUDY

This study has been divided into five (5) chapters, each chapter containing some sub-topics, each of the sub-topics is discussing some related issues.

Chapter one discusses the introductory information on the problem objectives and other fact on the introduction

Chapter two is designed to present a comprehensive review of literature of the study

Chapter three present detailed information about the problem and nature of the case study, it is known as data collection and methodology.

Chapter four contains data presentation which present and interpret relevant data

Chapter five is the final aspect of the study and it contains the summary, recommendations and conclusions.

1.8  DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS

In the course of undertaking this research project, the following key terms were defined;

DEMOCRACY: It is a government controlled by representative who are elected by the people of a country. it can also be defined as a system of government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representative, it can also be defined as a government of the majority, in a simplistic manner, democracy can be defined as government of the people, by the people and for the people.

FRAUD: This is a way of getting money illegally from someone by using clever and complicated method. The researcher hereby defined fraud as a corrupt method of getting or taking possession of money or other valuable items or goods with malicious and ulterior intention.

CONSTITUTION: According to oxford Advance Learners English Dictionary, defined constitution as a body or system of fundamental principle according to which a nation, state or body is governed.

GREED: This is a strong desire for money, possession, power etc than a person needs. it is also strong desire for wealth, food or drinks which is no longer need.

BRIBERY: This is defined as dishonesty in giving money to someone so as to persuade or convince him to do something that he or she shouldn’t have done ordinarily.

MANAGEMENT: It is the account of getting things done through people. according to the researcher, management is a process through which scarce resources are to achieved in a given goal or ends.

GOVERNMENT: Government can be defined as an agency or machinery through which the will or policy of the state is formulated or governed. Better still, government is defined as an arbitrary in other to perform it abstractive role effectively. Government has control over the use of power.

POLICY: Fredrick (1975), policy is defined as a proposed course of action of a group, person or government within a given environment with obstacles and productivity.