The Days Of God Fatherism Are Numbered.

Jeff Okoroafor

Many people right now may be thinking that the newly sworn in government and its party are falling apart, so it may seem, but some other thing is happening, until and unless you look closely, you may not be able to see it -the end of the over aged system of godfatherism in Nigeria.

One card that has constantly played out in the Nigerian politics is that of a political godfather, who decides who gets what, when and how much is to be gotten as far as political positions are concerned. We saw it happen during the time of Obasanjo who singlehandedly imposed Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on us all. In his demise, same Obasanjo imposed the recently ousted President Jonathan. We saw the hands of godfatherism in almost all positions during the time of Late Yar’Adua, Jonathan -in the Senate, House of Representatives, SGF, IGP and many other top positions in the land. It did not stop at the Federal level, States also witnessed it, a much visible one is that of Lagos State where Tinubu was the street King, he calls the shot and shots the calls, if you object to his options, then the opposition will be the least of your worry.

As a matter fact, the Nigerian people expected the confusion that has now set in in the governing party and its quest to pick a Senate President, they know it was not going to be as easy as rolling the dice…godfatherism was going to be a decider for them in almost all the important decisions of the government. Tinubu relocated from Lagos to Abuja in order to be closer to the game, calling the shot just like he did and still doing in Lagos State, however, the surprises keeps coming and the days of godfatherism in Nigeria are beginning to be numbered.

It started with the rejection of the ministerial list produced by Tinubu and endorsed by the APC, and now we are seeing another failure as the Senate President’s seat is going to a choice I call ‘the peoples’ and not the blessed and ordained child of a godfather. Indeed, the days of godfatherism are numbered and this is a good thing for Nigerians, let competence and credibility be the decider and not sentiments and personal gains.

In all of this, I can confidently say that indeed, CHANGE has come to Nigeria and gradually, we are getting to that point where not your money, not your godfather or who you know etc, will get you to that height of success, but your competence and character.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.