CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: TOWARDS A NEW PARADIGM FOR EFFECTIVE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Corruption as a global phenomenon has remained a viable enterprise in the Less Developed Countries (LDCs), hence not new in Nigeria. While its causes are myriad, it is endemic in all systems of government (military or democracy), thus its history is as old as man’s sojourn on earth. Democratic governance on the other hand is based on the will of the people and it is generally agreed that it is the best form of governance suited for allowing people to live in dignity and freedom, a point that was articulated in the Millennium Declaration by the international community. However, it has been a 12 boisterous years (May 1999 ? May 2011) of shedding military rule for democracy in Nigeria, yet the journey for effective democratic governance that should usher in an era of sustainable development has so far not only been very slow, but the transformation has been hobbled by the culture of corruption of the highest order, thereby creating an atmosphere of widespread disillusionment and general neglect of the Nigerian masses. There is no doubt that new democracies naturally do face some setbacks as a result of high expectations, but the fast crash of confidence in Nigeria’s new democracy is virtually unrivalled on the continent of Africa. Indeed, Nigerians were very eager for democratic dividends in 1999, with very high expectations too for more economic and development opportunities, as well as better and effective governance. However, today the story is different. The April 2011 general election is over, leaving in its trails political chaos and electoral violence. It is therefore, not an over exaggeration to observe that the major obstacle to the success of effective democratic governance, hence sustainable development in Nigeria is corruption. Consequently, the paper adopting the method of content analysis examines a new paradigm towards tackling the evils of corruption in Nigeria, hence effective democratic governance for sustainable development, with emphasis on competence, transparency and accountability, rule of law and getting value and quality for public expenditure, etc. The paper opines that there cannot be security of life and properties if the people’s fundamental human rights in accessing the basic needs of life are not respected and protected by those in authority.