Open AccessGrappling with Corruption in Democratic Nigeria
Author(s) -
Reuben Embu,
Samuel O. Igomu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of african theatre, film and media discourse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2520-7210
DOI - 10.33886/kujat.v1i1.131
Subject(s) - politics , democracy , impunity , political economy , language change , political corruption , political science , good governance , underdevelopment , sustenance , political system , development economics , corporate governance , sociology , law , economics , art , literature , finance
Nigeria, especially since its return to democratic governance in 1999, has been inherently laden and plagued with the malady known as corruption. Corruption remains the greatest undoing and bane of the nation’s socio-economic and political development as well as democratic consolidation. Evidently, the menace of corruption in a democratic ambience as Nigeria corrodes public trust in the system, magnifies unemployment and intensifies underdevelopment in all sectors of the economy. It is akin to a cancerous disease that spreads very rapidly through the host, destroys cells, weakens the body and in the process of time kills its victim. Although it pervades every strata of the society, this study is an exploration of the concept and context of political corruption with regards to political elites who hold positions of authority and in control of the society’s common wealth as exemplified in the play, Dawn of Awareness by Felix Akinsipe. This paper argues that sustainable development and political stability in Nigeria will remain a mirage for as long as political corruption continue to hold sway and remain unimpeded by not curbing the impunity with which political office holders indulge in corrupt practices. The paper recommends that stringent punitive measures must be put in place as well as value re-orientation for all public officers holding leadership positions.