MONEY, POWER, AND IMMORALITY: THE NEW FACE OF NIGERIAN POLITICS IN AHMED YERIMA'S PARI

Resumen

Nigerian politics has become a theatre of power struggles where morality is sacrificed for wealth and influence. Politicians of today use financial inducements, judicial manipulation, and bribery to further their ambitions, eroding moral principles in governance and society. This article uses Ahmed Yerima's Pari as a case study to examine how money and power contribute to political immorality in Nigeria. Gaetano Mosca's Elite Theory, which describes how a ruling minority manipulates institutions to retain control, serves as the foundation for the study. Findings show that the normalization of corruption has weakened state institutions including the military, police, and judiciary, while influencing the public's belief that moral compromise is necessary for political success. The study further highlights how poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship are deliberately used as tools to sustain political dominance. To restore ethical governance, the article recommends strengthening anti-corruption laws, enforcing judicial independence, and promoting civic education to reshape societal values. A political system that prioritizes morality over manipulation is essential for national progress.