RESCUE MISSION OR STATE CAPTURE: INTERROGATING POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND GOVERNANCE OUTCOMES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA 2011-2019

A postmortem study that interrogated the intricate relationship between political corruption and governance in Imo State, Nigeria, between 2011and 2019. This period fell within former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration. Utilizing a qualitative research design, the research employs content analysis to systematically examine various textual data sources, including academic articles, government reports, media coverage, and political speeches. The theoretical framework is grounded in the Principal-Agent Theory, which elucidates the conflicts of interest arising from the delegation of authority and the misalignment of incentives between political leaders (principals) and the public (agents). The findings reveal that political corruption significantly undermines governance, leading to poor decision-making, inefficiencies in public administration, and a decline in public trust. Key themes identified include corruption scandals, inadequate policy responses, and the detrimental impacts on governance practices. To address the pervasive issue of political corruption, the study recommends the implementation of robust anti-corruption frameworks that promote transparency and accountability in governance. This includes enhancing the capacity of oversight institutions, fostering civic engagement, and ensuring that public officials are held accountable for their actions.