Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2016): African Sociological Review

7 - Gender and Corruption in Nigerian Politics

https://doi.org/10.57054/asr.v20i1.3782
Amaechi D. Okonkwo
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2350-1978

Corresponding Author(s) : Amaechi D. Okonkwo

amaechi.okonkwo@usask.ca

African Sociological Review, Vol. 20 No. 1 (2016): African Sociological Review

Abstract

This article explores the relationships, or the lack thereof, between gender and grand corruption
in Nigeria. Methodologically, Butler’s theory of subject formation/performativity, and Kothari’s
critique of participation, was used to interrogate selected Nigerian grand corruption literature
and public indictment records. The objective was to tease-out and explain under-emphasized
influences on grand corruption, such as the roles of godfathers, women’s political socialization
and self-interests. Findings indicate that powerful political, cultural, military and industrial
godfathers and mothers regulate aspirants’ selection, electoral funding, appointments and extraconstitutional
protection from prosecution when they engage in grand corruption. Godfathers
regulate political participation in a manner that encourage protégées fantasies about, and
imitative adoption of their patrons’ corrupt worldviews and practices. Consequently, godfather
political socialization, extra-constitutional pressures on office holders, and crass materialist
accumulation interests of indicted female leaders seem to matter more than the gender binary.

Keywords

Nigeria Godfathers Subjection Gender Corruption
Amaechi D. Okonkwo. (2016). 7 - Gender and Corruption in Nigerian Politics. African Sociological Review, 20(1), 111–136. https://doi.org/10.57054/asr.v20i1.3782
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Amaechi D. Okonkwo

Dept of Sociology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon. Canada

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