University Links: Home Page | Site Map
Covenant University Repository

Local Elite and Corruption:Revisiting Marginalization of the Niger Delta

Jegede, A. E. and Joshua, Segun and Olorunyomi, B.R. (2012) Local Elite and Corruption:Revisiting Marginalization of the Niger Delta. International Journal of Research in Social Science and Human Development, 4 (2). pp. 64-74. ISSN 2276-853X

[img] PDF
Download (2MB)

Abstract

The prevalence of contradictions generated by Nigeria's past colonial e:>..perience sewrally explains major intra and inter-ethnic bickering that followed the nations' political independence. The centerpiece of these contradictions lie in the themes of credible agitations represented in the quest for self-autonomy, resource control, spatial exploitation and a host of others which do not only pitch several ethnic nationalities against the state but also threatens the corporate existence among major stake-holders. At post-independence, the nation's environment witnessed the growth of a particular segment of her population that became the custodian of power structure, the group that overtly manipulates same to further their interest. Consequently, the actions ofthis group appear diametrically opposed to the collective good of the mass, which are continually displaced through scheming engendered· by corruption. When evaluated from an institutional perspective, the successful encapsulation of the indigenous elite into the network of world capitalist system by its nature created a lacuna e.,plicable in the duality of allegiance. This dual allegiance, to a large extent, is tailored towards satisfYing the h1terest of the elite class on one hand and at the other extreme glossing over the interest of the ever rampaging marginalized locales or segment. The Niger-Delta predicament represents one of such contradictions nurtured by corruption and sustained by allegiance to the hegemonic power of the state, which create the needed interconnectivity between the ruling elite at the national, state and local government levels. This interconnectivity intensifies the continued neglect of the Niger-Delta. It is within this framework that this paper examines the impact of state and local sponsored corruption on the well-being of the peoples in the Niger-Delta. It also locates the root of corruption in the philosophical leaning of oil curse paradigm and concludes by proffering solution to the problems that beset the Niger-Delta Region.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Corruption Elitism Colonialism Resource Control Restiveness Marginalization
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions: Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Humanities
Depositing User: Mr Solomon Bayoko
Date Deposited: 07 May 2014 13:52
Last Modified: 07 May 2014 13:52
URI: http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/2547

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item