BEYOND CONFLICT: A QUEST FOR POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Armed violence and corruption are a widespread, affecting public institutions and the well-being of the citizens, which no meaningful development has been achieved since Nigeria’s fourth Republic1999. Corruption is wide spread among political leaders and government officials who have established a closed and centralized system of dictatorship and authoritarianism as a means of holding power to propagate a class system that marginalized those of lower socio-economic status, thereby inflicting unspeakable hardship and poverty on millions of Nigerians, violates their human rights, and destroys harmonious environments. To this end, the paper examines the state of peace and development in Nigeria, highlighting some drivers and dynamics of violent conflicts and their connections to politics and corruption. It provides a context-specific understanding f how transformed government can be; it can serve its citizens while providing home home-grown solutions rooted in local architectures for promoting peace, transparent, and accountable governance with focus to people-centred development. The paper utilized field experiences, Desk research, Literatures reviews, In-depth interviews, and descriptive analysis as research techniques. Key findings as highlighted, such as voter intimidation and fraud; .Bad leadership, corruption and lack of transparency accountability; Class system and soc-economi inequaity; Intolerance, stereotypes and mistrust have heightened violent conflicts and pushed so many into abject poverty, leading to Nigeria being perceived as a failed state. In conclusion, peace can only be achieved when National. State and local actors collaborate to address drivers of conflicts. Oversight functions on public institutions, widening civic spaces for dialogue and participation and promoting transparency and accountability of public proceedings. A shift from “MITIGATION to “PREVENTION” is the surest way to deal with conflict/corruption because it is cheaper and saves lives. Without political accountability to governance, the collective aspiration of the people for diversity, inclusion, equality, social cohesion and harmony will be unattainable.