Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies: Home

Abstract:
This research paper is predicated on the premise that democratic governance, strong commitment to the rule of law as well as a genuine will to control corruption are essential for development of any country. Using a comparative approach, the paper established that Nigeria had practically institutionalized corruption as the foundation of governance, with the military being the major culprits. Under military regimes, institutions of society easily decayed to unprecedented proportions, as opportunities were privatized by the few powerful individuals. This process was accompanied by the intimidation of the judiciary, subversion of due process, the manipulation of existing laws and regulations to suit parochial interests, the suffocation of civil society, and the containment of Nigerian democratic values and institutions. The paper further found that successive civilian regimes had not fired better. The Obasanjo civilian administration had the most profound impact on the polity but its economic reforms and relative macro-economic stability had not resulted into improved welfare of Nigerians. Thus, both the military and civilian rules in Nigeria had not impacted positively on the citizenry. This research is aimed at analyzing the impact of both the military and the civilian regimes in the Nigerian political space, and their roles in impacting on the development indices. The study is significant in providing a comparative analytical insight into the role of the democratic regimes in Nigeria which will serve as lessons and also provide a compass for sustainable political and economic policies. The conclusions therein are also significant in provoking a purposeful political leadership.

Keywords: militarization; dictatorship; corruption; democratization; extremism; federalism; nationalism;

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