ABSTRACT

The study examines the Nigerian political system : The Avignon papacy example. It sees the Nigerian political system as a problematic and crisis-ridden system that has failed to offer the nation the much expected dividends of good governance. It contends that Nigerian political system has been brazenly hijacked by few selfish and unscrupulous politicians who use the system to allocate juicy political powers and valued resources to themselves, their political allies and cronies. Their actions are antithetical to good governance practices and democratic values. There is now a colossal systematic failure on the part of the government. The study compares the Nigerian political system with the Avignon papacy which was dominated by seven popes from France between 1308 and 1378 who promoted French domination of the papacy and the entire hierarchy of eth Roman Catholic Church during the period. The study begins by a survey of the Nigeria political system. It goes on to have an overview of the Avignon papacy, after which it highlights it as a symbol of corruption in Catholic Church leadership in the 1300’s. The study also makes a juxtaposition Nigeria political system and the Avignon papacy and finally takes a look at the church and qualitative political system in Nigeria. The study concludes by contending that the Nigerian political system is a failed one which calls for urgent overhaul and transformation. It recommends among others, an effective and sustained collaboration between the government and the church in order to ensure qualitative political system and true democracy in the country.