Corruption In Africa: Nigeria 2023 General Election As A Case Study
By Francess Otome
LAGOS JUNE 30TH (NEWSRANGERS)- What is corruption? According to the definition used by the world bank, “It is the abuse of public power for private benefit.”
A more neutral definition is that corruption is the intentional non compliance with arm’s length relationship aimed at deriving some advantage from this behavior for oneself or for related individuals. Corruption can also be considered to be an abuse of power, It is any behavior that leads to the benefit of an entity in power at the expense of others.
Corruption in Africa
Understanding corruption in Africa represents a step towards a better understanding of the African state as well as a better understanding of the workings of public administration and private enterprises.
The damage corruption inflicts on the Africa struggling economy cannot be ignored or written as normal or negligible. The illicit activities of elected officials, bureaucrats and industry leaders are leaving states unable to deliver the most basic services to their citizens.
Just last year, acting UN Resident Co-ordinator Rudolf Schwenk said Malawi is unable to provide its citizens with “effective healthcare, quality education and an accountable and responsive democracy “because of high level of corruption. South Africa, meanwhile is experiencing rolling blackouts, largely because corruption and gross management have debilitated state utility Eskom. The country is experiencing the lack of reliable energy amid an unemployment crisis today. A record of 7.9 million citizens are believed to be jobless.
The UN conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD) estimates that Africa loses about $88.6billion and 3.7 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP),annually in illicit financial flows. According to the Africa Youth Survey 2022 (PDF) published on June 14, Africa’s youths believe that the creation of “new,well paying jobs”and “reducing government corruption” should be the continent’s two leading priorities. The survey interviewed young adults, many of whom are students from Africa countries which includes Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Angola, Kenya, Gabon and Malawi etc.
Corruption in Nigeria: A look into the presidential election.
Corruption in Nigeria is a constant phenomenon. In 2012, Nigeria was estimated to have lost over $400billion to corruption since its independence. Nigeria politicians find themselves in a strong position of power and wealth due to their connections with the oil and gas sector in the country. It is estimated that corruption within the state apparatus costs the country billions of dollars every year.
Nigeria conducted its presidential election and National Assembly elections on February 25,2023 and the Governor and State Assembly elections on march 18 2023.18 political parties presented candidate for the presidential elections 3 of which were the major candidate. The major candidates were:Bola Ahmed Tinubu candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC),Atiku Abubakar candidate of the People Democratic Party(PDP) and Peter Gregory Obi candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
The general election was noted by initially high projected turn out and mainly peaceful voting but was married by reports of vote buying, voters intimidation, attacks on polling units in certain areas and unpunctual electoral officials etc. Aside this accusations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also accused of electoral malpractice because of its failure to upload the polling units results to the INEC viewing portal as previously assured would happen on the election day. These along with critical statements from observers and civil society groups has led to the questioning of the credibility of the election result.
Nigerian were totally disappointed in the leadership of the Independent Electoral Commission arguing that its words and promises meant nothing to Nigerians,They emphasize that the INEC has brought shame and disgrace to Nigerians in the global community. The Independent Electoral Commission was accused of compromising the presidential election by deliberately refusing to upload the results at the polling units from the BVAS to the IREV. Despite INEC receiving an unprecedented sum of 355 billion naira to conduct a credible election and also the incredible support recieved from the civil organizations and international communities,the commission still fails to deliver a straightforward mandate of meeting the expectations of Nigeria.
In conclusion, eradicating corruption is so important not only to establish firm adherence to the rule of law and political stability, but it is also critical to promote economic growth and reducing poverty in Africa countries. So therefore, it is the time for the Africa Union(AU) to assert its independence and demonstrate a strong, renewed and active commitment to mitigate the socio-economy consequences of bad leadership in Africa.
Francess Otome a law student of Delta State University writes fro, Delta State.
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Posted by News Rangers
on Jun 30 2023. Filed under Features, National.
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