The Effect of Electoral and Economic Crimes on Sustainable Development in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The survey examined the effect of electoral and economic crimes on sustainable development in Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study accessed the effect of election rigging and misappropriation of public funds on sustainable development in Cross River State. Two research questions were stated to guide the study. The study adopted the system theory. Survey research design was adopted in this study. An 18-item questionnaire captioned “Questionnaire on electoral, economic crimes and sustainable development” (QEESD) was designed by the researcher and used in gathering data for the study. Data were elicited from 384 respondents who were purposively selected from six (6) local government areas in the three Senatorial District of Cross River State. The respondents were selected from political parties, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices, religious groups, and the public. The generated data were presented using simple percentage, and chart. Findings revealed that election rigging and misappropriation of public funds affects sustainable development in Cross River state, Nigeria. The study recommended among others that political office holders should judiciously utilize public funds for programmes and projects that would positively affect the well-being of the citizens. In addition, rigging of election should be made a capital offence that should attract severe punishment like life imprisonment or death sentence.