The Impact of Corruption on Democracy and Development in Nigeria

This article analyzes the impact of corruption on the Nigerian electoral process, and establishes that a flawed electoral process produces a distorted form of democracy.  This has played out itself in half finished contracts, or abandoned projects like hospitals, roads, portable water supply, and dilapidated schools. The article further examines the impact of corruption on the implementation of the Electoral Act, 2006 by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The article establishes the impact of corruption on the quality of life of 70 percent of Nigerians, who wallow in abject poverty amidst abundant oil revenues. The article concludes that a strong and independent judiciary is sine qua non in the establishment of equitable democracy and people centered development in Nigeria. The author argues that the anti-corruption
agencies and INEC must be independent of the executive in order to function properly and secure a fair electoral process that would ensure development.