Political Malpractice and Democratic Weakness: An Analysis of Bayelsa State

Political corruption is a global phenomenon that has continued to hinder the practice of democracy in all political environments, inhibiting the dividends of democratic governance. As contained in this study, the causes of political corruption in Bayelsa State, like in any other political environment includes; ostentatious lifestyle of the political class, primordial sentiment, weak institution, an unenlightened followership, inequality and poverty, bad governance etc. This study, “Factors Militating against democratic governance appraising the causes of political corruption in Bayelsa State, is an examination of the causes of political corruption and how they inhibit the dividends of democratic governance. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods in the collection and analysis of data. The elite theory was employed as the theoretical framework for the study, to explain the personalisation of governance by the political class. It is observed that, in a bid to continue to personalise governance in the state, the political class have put in place measures to maintain the status quo. The persistence of this phenomenon denies the state infrastructural and human capital development, therefore civil society groups should rise up to the occasion to enlighten the people on the evils of political corruption, and ensure they (people) stand to defend their votes during elections.