Big men, big threats and big trouble : a panoramic analysis of selected contending issues in Nigeria, 1999-2012

Abstract

Nigeria, despite the great expectations and aspirations that accompanied the reintroduction of civil rule in 1999, is yet to experience any remarkable positive change in most of its problematic areas of life which, incidentally, also accounted for the long battle against military rule in the country. This paper attempts a panoramic analysis of the probable nexus between male domination of socio-economic and political aspects of life, general abuse of office and privileges, in terms of corruption as well as corruptive tendencies, and the performance of Nigeria's political system, particularly between 1999 and 2012. In other words, it attempts a critical examination of the probable interconnections between the endemic nature of the abuse of privileged positions and the gender of the abusers during the period under focus. The research methodology is descriptive and analytical. It combines various historical explanations on the dynamics of socio-economic and political life in Nigeria...