Corruption, militancy and their implications for development in peremabiri community in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The phenomenon of corruption and militancy has become a serious threat to developmental efforts and good governance in Peremabiri community in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The question is how can the disenabling issues be addressed to ensure sustainable peace and development for the community? The study used the greed/grievance theory and the pervasive theory of corruption to interrogate the forces driving corruption in the community. Qualitative data collected were content analysed to gain insight into how these disenabling phenomenon became entrenched for socio-political interaction in the community. It argues that militancy emerged in the community because of the level of corruption of the traditional rulers and their reliance on coercion to enforce compliance to their exploitative and oppressive rules. The paper concludes by emphasising the imperativeness of accountable, responsive and participatory governance as antidotes to corruption and militancy in the community.