Political Issues
Godfatherism in Nigeria Politics -By John Kokome
There is no amount of money or education that can guarantee a young politician the required political experience overnight, without going through the tutelage of a godfather this is where the godfather factor comes to play in politics.
Will Godfatherism ever end in any political space, be it locally or internationally? This answer is a capital NO, inasmuch as the game of politics exist and upcoming politicians look up to those who have been there long enough for guidance and direction, there will always be mentor and mentee (Godfather-Godson).
Even in the religious and business circles, there are godfathers and godsons relationship predicated on mutual trust and respect on both parties. Personally, I do not believe there is anything wrong in having a godfather in any area of human endeavour, provided it will bring about growth and sustainable development for the greater good of the society.
However, what many people have frowned at, which I totally align myself with is a retrogressive godfather-godson relationship, which should not be. The relationship ought to be a symbiotic relationship and not a parasitic one, meant to sniff political life out of the godson and draw the society backward. Events in the recent past have proven that godfathers in Nigeria politics are a bane to our democratic experience as a nation.
It is interesting to note, that the recent development in the political space in Nigeria is quite very disturbing and embarrassing, where political godfathers become unnecessarily overbearing on their so called political godson(s) at the detriment of the state. What we need are progressive godfathers and not the other way round. In every human relationship, there are bound to be disagreement here and there, and that is normal in life, but must not degenerate to a public spectacle where state apparatus of governance are halted to satisfy the whims and caprices of one man, which is what most political godfathers in Nigeria have turned political disagreements to.
There is no amount of money or education that can guarantee a young politician the required political experience overnight, without going through the tutelage of a godfather this is where the godfather factor comes to play in politics. It should be on record that both the godfather and godson are equally important for a smooth political journey. After all, leaders are products of followers, without a godson there will never be a godfather.
The Edo State political experience as well as several others, has clearly shown that there will always be rebellious tendency of godsons towards their so-called godfathers who arrogate to themselves powers constitutionally far beyond their reach.
Going forward, godfathers in Nigerian politics must learn how to conduct themselves properly before their godsons, if they want to continue to be relevant and earn the respect they so deserve within the polity. No man knows it all, except God. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power belongs and comes only from God Almighty not from godfathers nor godsons. Therefore, let no man play God in the affairs of men!
John Kokome
A Public Relations Professional and Public Affairs Analyst
Lagos State
