Global Journal of Politics and Law Research Vol.8, No.1, pp.1-13, January 2020 Published by ECRTD-UK ISSN: ISSN 2053-6321(Print), ISSN: ISSN 2053-6593(Online) 1 PSYCHOLOGY OF POLITICS AND POLITICIANS IN NIGERIA: THE HUMAN AND SOCIAL GOVERNANCE CONSEQUENCES Okechukwu Dominic Nwankwo, Phd Department Of Psychology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, P.M.B. 6059, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Olofin Funke Temidayo, Department Of Psychology, Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria. Victor Jideofor Okoye Department Of Psychology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, P.M.B. 6059, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Gift Chinagozim Ohakwe, Phd Institute Of Theology, Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. ABSTRACT: The research examined political psychology in Nigeria, characterized by political interest, godfatherism, rigging, thuggery, occultism, election litigation, and zoning politics. Participants were politicians and electorates. Information was gathered through direct observations, interviews and print sources, with analytical and descriptive designs. Findings were psychology of politics manifested as: Elitism, machination, group opportunity, business perception, godfatherism politics, socio-cultural consciousness, politics as criminal enterprise, life-time socioeconomic opportunity, including emasculating the Judiciary and Legislature. Psychology of politicians manifested as: Desperation, superiority status, extravagant lifestyle, betrayal of citizens, narcissistic personality, high selfishness/greed, deception/lying as skills/smartness, and pride/euphoria in associating with Federal Government’s might. The human/social governance consequences were: Social polarization, disappointed governance, loss of confidence in electoral system, corruption, poor societal development, misguided rule of law, exponential unemployment, poor standard of living, misguided life virtue, and embarrassing Judiciary. Proffered recommendations were improved political value system, proactive Judiciary, accountable politics/politicians, and stopping irresponsible political extravagant lifestyle. KEYWORDS: political-psychology, politics, politicians, Nigeria, human-social, governance INTRODUCTION Psychology of politics and politicians in Nigeria is very complex and dynamic. The politicians are very unreliable and self-centered. Nigerian politics and politicians are terribly retrogressive and unconscionable (Gudaku, 2019). In Nigeria, politics is often perceived in relation to politicians’ power, money, religion, socio-cultural perspectives, and what Weir (2019) referred to as group- based perception. “Godfatherism” plays great role and influence in the Nigerian political