Political godfatherism is a cancer that has metastasized throughout the body politic. It is a system in which powerful individuals, known as godfathers, handpick and control less powerful politicians, known as godsons. The godfathers use their wealth, influence, and connections to ensure that their godsons win elections and then take control of the government.
In the case of Nigeria, we have witnessed godfatherism in Nigerian politics since 1999. It has sharpened the sword of corruption in Nigeria and increased the advantage of the bourgeoisie by paving the way for their stake as an investment in public resources after they leave office.
Godfatherism has been a major factor in Nigeria’s political corruption. Godfathers often use their power to enrich themselves and their allies, while neglecting the needs of the people. They also use their power to silence dissent and rig elections.
A state in the southwest is said to be captured by a “powerful” individual who has been dictating who gets there? Who gets what and when to get whatever. Nigeria is ranked among the highest IQs in the world with so much competent people in its leadership. Yet this type of people has been muscled out by political godfathers. Whether or not the story will change is what everyone in Nigeria is sceptical about.
That state is many times richer than many states in Nigeria in terms of IGR.
If this situation becomes our political precedent in Nigerian democracy, then I weep for my country. I weep for over 100 million people living in poverty, their children, and their grandchildren.
Godfatherism is a threat to democracy in Nigeria. It undermines the will of the people and allows a small group of powerful individuals to control the government. It is also a major obstacle to development. If Nigeria is to achieve its full potential, it must break the stranglehold of godfatherism on its political system.
Another major negative effect of political godfatherism in Nigeria is that the government enthroned by a Godfather is seen as a government by proxy where the person in government is not really in charge of the governance but “the power that be” and whenever the government In power acts in contrary to the will of the godfather, there’s every possibility of him been impeached or not return for a second term no matter how good his government is. A case study of Akinwunmi Ambode the former governor of Lagos State. Who later did play according to the tune of The Godfather so he couldn’t come for the second term.
Godfatherism is a menace to our political Institutions.
In the presidential system of Government where there should not be a fusion of power like that of the parliamentary system of Government, the level of interference of the executives in the affairs of the legislature and the judiciary owing to Political godfatherism is alarming.
In the Nigerian 9th Assembly The legislators had to go into a meeting with the president in order to choose or select the leadership of the Senate, in this way, members of the executives fix in their preferred candidates to do their bidding. This has proven during the administration of the 9th Assembly that the legislature as an institution became weak in its oversight functions.
Godfatherism is an anti-development in the Nigerian public sector.
To attain the position of permanent secretary in any government parastatal is now determined by who you know, to be employed in any public service in Nigeria now is by godfatherism this is the happening in the public service thereby making it difficult for technocrats to have the opportunity to manage the affairs in our public sector.
Godfatherism has become a stepping stone into Nigerian politics, it’s not only the stepping stone but also the ladder on which politicians step in their political endeavour, this has really bittered out by the character-coarse and the level of incompetence of the leaders provided and bankrolled by the godfathers.
In Political godfatherism loyalty is the rule that sustains you rather than competency and accountability.
The ability of the godson in the clandestine, malevolent of the godfather is another major rule of the game. Following these many bogus and spurious rules safeguard their longevity in the province of Nigeria politics.
– Atule Gabriel
A student of Mass Communication, at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State.
