The Role of the Churches in Combatting Corruption among Political Leaders in Anambra State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT  

The rate at which corruption spread among political leaders in Anambra state has frayed nerves and subjected the people to fear and trepidation. Avarice, greed, and the get-rich-quick syndrome have been identified as major causative factors.

Hence the topic, “The role of the churches in combating corruption among political leaders in Anambra State, Nigeria.” The methods of data collection for the study include both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained through oral interviews.

For the secondary sources, the study relied on academic books, journal articles, newspapers, magazines, unpublished project works, and periodicals, including internet materials.

The historical and descriptive-analytic approach was adopted in the analysis of the data because it entails the interpretative understanding of the substance of various forms of communication, whether written, oral, or symbolic.

In that result, it was revealed that there are overt causes of corruption among political leaders in Anambra State arising from avarice and greed.

This has affected the well-being of individuals and retarded progress in the state. The study also established that embezzlement of public funds, rigging of elections, kidnapping of political opponents, thuggery, and politically motivated killings formed the core of the activities of some of the political leaders.

It was also discovered that the church had used preaching, prayer, social action, an exemplary lifestyle, and sacrifice as strategies against corruption. In conclusion, there is a fundamental and innate relationship between the church and the state.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page …………………………………………………………………….. i
Certification ………………………………………………………………….. ii
Declaration ….……………………………………………………………….. iii
Acknowledgement …………………..……………………………………….. iv
Abstract ………………………………………………………………………. v
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………….. vi
Map of Anambra State ………………………………………………………. ix
List of Abbreviations ………………………………………………………… x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study ……………………………………………… 1
1.2 Statement of Research Problem ………………………………………… 6
1.3 Purpose of the Study ……………………………………………………. 7
1.4 Significance of the Study ……………………………………………… 7
1.5 Scope of the Study ……………………………………………………. 8
1.6 Research Methodology ……………………………………………….. 9
1.7 Definition of Terms …………………………………………………… 9

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction …………………………………………………….……… 14
2.1 Corruption: A Historical Overview in Nigeria ………………………… 14
2.2 The Nexus between Church and Politics ……………………………… 24
2.3 The Nature of Corruption …………………………………………….. 28
2.4 Corruption and Rigging of Election in Anambra State ………………. 39
2.5 Efforts at Fighting Corruption in Nigeria …………………………….. 46

CHAPTER THREE: THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF ANAMBRA STATE
3.1 History of Creation of the Present Anambra State …………………….. 52
3.2 Emergence of Political Crisis in Anambra State ………………………. 57
3.3 The Political Regime of Ezeife ………………………………………….. 58
3.4 The Political Regime of Mbadinuju ……………………………………… 59
3.5 Political Regime of Ngige …………..……………………………………. 61
3.6 Peter Obi’s ongoing Regime …………………………………………… 76

CHAPTER FOUR: THE CHURCH AND POLITICAL LEADERS IN
ANAMBRA STATE
4.1 Church’s Teachings on the Apostolic Governance in Anambra State .. 80
4.2 The Christian Faith and Politics: a Reflection on People’s Welfare …. 85
4.3 Church and Politics: The Indispensable Agents of Unity in the
Society ……………………….………………………………………… 87
4.4 Church in Politics: Rationalizing the Emergence of Liberation
Theology ……………………….……………………………………… 91
4.5 The Role of the Church in Anambra state Political System ………….. 98

CHAPTER FIVE: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION IN
NIGERIA
5.1 Causes of Corruption in Nigeria …………..…………………………… 101
5.1.1 Get Rich Quick ……………….………………………………………… 101
5.1.2 Moral Decadence ……………………………………………………… 103
5.1.3 Manipulation of Panel by Government ……………………………….. 105
5.2 Corruption and Impunity of Electoral Malpractices …………………… 106
5.3 Politicians and Godfathers in Anambra State ………………………… 117
5.4 Political Godfathers and Funding of Violence in Nigeria ……………. 127
5.5 The Effects of Corruption ……………………………………………….. 138

CHAPTER SIX: THE RESILIENCE OF CORRUPTION IN ANAMBRA
STATE
6.1 Government Inability to Fight Corruption ……………………………. 148
6.2 The Passive Role of the Church in Fighting Against Corruption .…… 156
6.3 The Church and Corruption: An Exposition on Materialism and
Simony ……………………………………………………………….. 159
6.4 Socio-economic and Political Decay: A Challenge to the Church …… 166
6.5 The Way Forward ……………………………………………………. 170

CHAPTER SEVEN: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
7.1 Summary of the Findings …………………………………………….. 172
7.2 Contributions to Knowledge …………………………………………. 174
7.3 Recommendations ……………………………………………………. 176
7.4 Suggestions for Further Study ……………………………………….. 179
7.5 Conclusion ….………………………………………………………… 180
Bibliography ……………………………………………….…………. 183
Appendix …………………………………………………..…………. 197

INTRODUCTION  

In Nigeria, bribery and corruption are hydra-headed twins, that have eaten deep into the fabric of society. Since the colonial era in Nigeria, bribery and corruption have made steady and seemingly unstoppable progress up to the present.

Whether during the colonial era, when Nigeria gained her independence in 1960, or for the long years of military rule, bribery, and corruption have become a recurring decimal (Achunike, 2006: 162). Chuta (2004: 17, 39) traced the problem of corruption from the pre-colonial to the colonial and self-government eras.

He traced corruption to the First Republic (1960–1966) down to the different stages of the military era, even to the Second and Third Republics. In all these cases, Chuta stood on the assertion that the majority of Nigerians have been corrupt.

Ugwu (2002: 16) traced corruption to the colonial period when he posited that: It has been argued that the major roots of corruption were sown during the colonial period when a lot of structures were created for the purpose of administration.

The pro-colonial society knew little or nothing about corruption but soon after Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and shortly afterward in 1963 after Nigeria had become a republic, there grew in galloping proportions corruption in every sphere of human life.

Kalu (2007: 2) posited that the underprivileged are the victims of corruption while the ruling class hypocritically engaged in the condemnation of acts that benefit its fold.  

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Achebe, C. (1983) The Trouble with Nigeria. Enugu: Fourth Dimension
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Achunike, H. C. (2006) Thematic Analysis of Corruption in Nigeria: An Ethical
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Acqainas cited in Okwueze, M.I (2003) Ethics religion and society: Biblical
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Adekanye, B. J. (1993) Military Occupation and Social Stratification, an Inaugural
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CSN Team.

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