Godfatherism In Nigeria’s Politics And Road To 2023 -By Muhammad Yasin Yahaya

In the words of Osuntokun (2003:42), "the political relationship under successive government in Nigeria is a reflection of the international economic order, which facilitates the pursuit or regime change by avaricious godfather whose major pre-occupation is to perpetuate their hegemonic political influence for personal interest and aggrandizement".

The conundrum of ‘Godfatherism’ is one issue that remains unsolved in the Nigerian Political system. ‘Godfatherism’ is not just synonymous to Nigeria alone but sociologically, it’s a global phenomenon, especially in the case of Nigeria where so many factors are contributing to this unpatriotic and grungy activities.

The concept of ‘Godfatherism’ and it’s political and undemocratical implications, are very ill-intended, bent on causing disarray. Chimaroke Nnamani, the former governor of Enugu State stated that, the position of ‘godfathers’ in any system is like a virus, often out to create ill-will, but especially to subjugate the ‘godson’ whom he planted and would want to do his will at all cost.

The godson is placed in subservient position through his godfather. According to him, “…the godfather is a merchant set out to acquire the godson as a client.”The godfather is simply a self seeking individual out there to use the government for his own purposes (Chimaroke, 2004:17).

Similarly, Danoye (2004:44), saw the godfather as a human being who plays god to his people. He provides their basic needs, fends for them, protects them and assists them to secure and achieve their objectives. He further states “his support could be seen as investment, which he believes must yield some profits in the future.”

From the assertion above, it’s clear that the godfatherism is undoubtedly a socio-political menacing in our political system. According to me, godfatherism can be defined as a process in which an individual out of their desperation and unpatriotic ideas decides to sponsor, influence and go to any means legally and illegally to obtain political power or get their godson in position of authority idirectly subjugating them to their wims and Caprices. These persons put their resources inline and hope for return as soon as their godsons assume that position.

They see these activities as ‘investments’ and to satisfy their evil desire to rule out of the shadows and having their godsons as puppets and political pawns that executes their dubious plots that continue to hinder our Constitutional and democratical advancements.

Godatherism in Nigerian politics is a contest between elitism and democracy. Elitism, as Welsh (1979: 10) argued, is a system “in which the exercise of political control by a small number of persons is institutionalized in the structure of government and political activity.” The typical godfather in Nigerian politics basically seeks to manipulate state officials and institutions for his own interests. Conflicts occur only when their clients refuse to be manipulated. This kind of situation does not argue well for the development and growth of any democratic process.

Some of the notable godfatherism activities that led to crisis in Nigeria the moment the godson refused to dance to the tone of thier political godfather, just to mention few; in 1999, Governor Mala Kachalla of Borno state and Senator Ali Modu Sherriff (SAS) and also in Anambra state between Chief Chris Una and Dr Chris Ngige,(2004) also the recent case that is still fresh in memories is the Tinibu (Jagaban) and former governor, Amosun.

As professor Patrick Lumumba said, “commercialization of politics is a threat to democracy.”

A glance at aspects of our society that is contributing to this shadow rulers who have nothing to offer but want to have their way at all cost, and in the words of Chimaroke Nnamani he said, “Poverty makes it possible for the emergence of godfathers, the prevalence of this makes it easy for godfathers to rise and pervade the environment of the not well structured polities. In addition, the election is manipulated through financial inducement of electoral officers, thuggery or outright rigging of votes. The activities of political godfathers in Nigeria’s fourth republic are even more challenging and daring to democracy and democratic stability.” (Nnamani, 2004:28) Vol. 4 (4), Serial No. 17, October, 2010. Pp 174-186.

I succumb to the above view because if people in the society are in perpetual hunger and penury, it’ll be very easy for them to sell their votes, therefore, poverty is one aspect.

Another aspect of this issue is in the area of ignorance and illiteracy, many Nigerians are ignorant of the threat of the practice of godfatherism and the dangers it possess to the consolidation of our democratical dispensation and in most cases, illiteracy has a larger part to account for.

Similarl, I believe that this godfatherism is able to permeate in Nigeria because most people presenting themselves for political offices are incompetent and lack the ability to stand on their own. Most claim that it’s the lack of funds that leads them in to the hands of these ‘shadow rulers’ but I don’t believe or surrender to that because if a person is competent, educated and has all it’s takes to lead people I don’t think they need these ‘shadow rulers’ to help fund or buy votes for them to emerge into their positions and in addition, desperation also is included as most people are desperate in becoming one thing or the other without having the capability to be there.

We’ve seen governors bringing their deputies, Governors bringing their son-in-laws and all these are elements of godfatherism and the desire for stronger political leaders to continue to hold on to power.

‘Godfatherism’ is evil and has alot of negative effect on our democracy and overall, the development of our nation. 2023 is yet another opportunity for us as a people to decide on who will lead us as we move forward.

Nigerians have seen over the years how the country has been manhandled, public funds looted, lopsided appointments and a whole lot of misdemeanor in the name of pleasing their godfathers.

My suggestions and way out of this political quagmire are as follows:

Firstly, we need serious advocacy and enlightenment on the dangers of letting this practice to continue in our beloved nation. In this, well meaning Nigerians, NGOs, religious leaders and those with the love of our country at heart should step up and let our people know the real consequences of letting outgoing governors bringing in their deputies or son- in-laws to succeed them.

Secondly, our Constitution needs to be amended in order to put some of these political parties in check because most of these practices are perpetuated by them.

Thirdly, the enormous amounts of money being spent for an election should be regulated, and here I believe the electoral body has a part to play in order to make sure that the costs are cut, in that our electoral space could be free for those from the upper and lower class to participate and making the whole system equal and flexible.

Fourthly, our people need to be wise in the area of vote buying and also not letting anyone tell us whom we should vote. We should be able to know what they are capable of offering when eventually voted into office, also, politicians should know that election is not ‘a do or die affair,’ but should always be by popular votes based on integrity, transparency, capability and experience.

The country of our dreams can only be realized if we come together to do the right thing.
2023 has a lot to decide on the future of our dear Nation. On this note, I urge the youth to stand up to this call of Nation building, the youth are the future of this country therefore, come 2023, we need to vote a person in which we believe in, a person with the qualities of a leader,
The only power we’ve got as a people is our Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). Let’s make good use of it and take our country to a greater heights.

Muhammad Yasin Yahaya is a 200L student of Sociology and Anthropology department of Ahmadu Bello university Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria.