Proceedings of the National Assembly of the Social Science Assembly of Nigeria, 2020
DOI: 10.36108/ssan/ConfPro/0202.01
Emergent Plutarchy, Neopatrimonialism and the Crisis of Political Corruption in Nigeria
Chike F. Okolocha
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
University of Benin
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to hypothesise the rise of a plutarchy in Nigeria and trace its trajectory from nationalist era to the Fourth Republic. It also examines the institutionalisation of poverty and the contest in which Nigeria’s nascent democracy has dichotomized citizenry between the plutarchy and the rest. The composition of this ruling elite is examined along with its modus operandi which has mobilized neo-patrimonial networks of patron-clint bondage and rent seeking. Because concerns about the undue influence of money in politics transcend political and ideological geographies, it is proposed that religious and ethnic differences are false identities which favour individuals, not groups. Evidence is provided that political practice in Nigeria is now irredeemably a mismatch between the rich and the poor, with the former having commodified politics as a realm of investment. Using secondary data and direct participant observation, I examine the emergence and manifestations this plutarchy and the concurrent immiseration of the majority. The study also addresses the linkage of plutarchy with poverty, inequality and corruption as well as its nexus with political exclusion and public apathy. Among others, it is proposed that poverty, inequality and corruption are fallouts of Nigeria’s emergent neo patrimonial plutarchy and resultant political antagonisms. I conclude that anticorruption policies may not achieve much if the neoliberal economic development continues to reproduce poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Keywords: Corruption, democracy, inequality, neopatrimonialism, plutarchy, political party, poverty