GODFATHERISM: THE BANE OF NIGERIA POLITICS AND DEMOCRACY

Godfatherism is a political slave trade where the Godfather is the slave merchant while the godson is the political slave or otherwise, a political article up for sale. It is the practice of political office seekers getting connected to an individual who is believed to have the ability to deliver desired outcome in an electoral contest. 

The history of political godfatherism is traceable to the colonial epoch through independence era, military interregnum and towards the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in what came to be known as the fourth Republic in 1999 following the terminus of military junta. The staggering posture of godfatherism in Nigerian democratic system leaves much to be desired. This stems from the fact that since the adumbration of this nascent democracy on the 29th day of May, 1999, Nigerians have witnessed uncontrollable political crisis that has threatened the existence of the nation, participatory democracy, peace, security and consolidation of democracy as a result of the activities of these political godfathers (extract from Ajadike 2010).

Essentially,godfatherism in Nigeria has became more visible and widespread like harmattan fire as events unfolded itself in the recent elections conducted variously in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 in Nigeria. With the expansion of the activities of godfathers and its eldorado in the 21st century Nigeria, coupled with the godson clientelism (Connotatively), there was greater commitment and manifestations of discontentment in the developing democracy of Nigeria in the areas of political security and participation. As noted by Gambo in 2007, Nigeria Political godfathers are essentially predatory in their motivation to influence electoral politics and elections in Nigeria There has been a lot of crises in Nigeria politics and administration, a crisis of confidence in our elected officials, a loss of faith in our democratic government and an increasing frustration at government, and more also, an increasing frustration at the irrelevance of individual’s vote in our political process. All these crises are caused by the unholy alliance of godfatherism.

Throughout the period of military rule and in the present, emergence of godfatherism posed a great threat not only to good governance but also to the socio-economic development and stability of democratic governance. Perhaps, one of the most disturbing and damaging influence of godfatherism in Nigeria is in domain of making nonsense of a truly free, fair and credible electoral process in which the electorates by right are expected to freely elect people of their choice into public office to represent their interests.  

When public office holders would not be accountable to the people, who at any rate did not count in their elections into public office, invariably, the loyalty of such public office holder would be tilted towards their godfathers and this in itself negates one of the critical attributes of governance and democracy which is responsive and transparent. This scenario is also inimical to good governance and political stability which are predicated on the rule of law, due process, accountability and transparency in the management of public business. The emergence of godfatherism has also robbed the citizens of the privilege of enjoying the dividends of democracy in the sense that government has become reluctant to initiate and implement policies that would advance the well being of the generality of the citizens. This is a direct result of the fact that godfatherism in Nigeria is basically predatory in nature because their primary motive of venturing into politics is born out of the need to acquire wealth (money) from the public fund their godsons’ control. 

The lean financial resource accruable to the state from the federation account which is meant to improve the standard of living of the citizens is of paramount interest to them. Instances where the godsons (governors, chairmen)etc refused to settle their godfathers as agreed before securing public office, hell was let loose. The end point and consequences of (godfatherism) on our polity is that economic activities are brought to a halt, especially education sector, health, security (political wrangling), agriculture, housing and infrastructural developments etc.

Godfatherism is a dangerous development in Nigeria politics. The electorates are impoverished the more, and the corrupt rich godfathers are corruptly enriching themselves the more. The circle is endless, as the solution to this menaces is the serious problem facing Nigeria until a morally sound, committed and patriotic leader emerge to lead the people honestly with the attribute of transparency, openness, people oriented policies and programmes, Nigeria political development will be a mirage.  

WAY FORWARD/RECOMMENDATIONS

To put an end to the crisis created by political godfathers in Nigeria, the following factors must be considered as first priority so that all illegal acts will be minimized;

a. The law makers should enact laws to prohibit godfatherism in Nigeria’s politics; offenders should be barred from political activities in Nigeria for live. 

b. Elective posts in Nigeria should be demonetized. The idea of paying jumbo salaries and allowances to elected public office holders should be abolished.

c. Money, self-centeredness and selfish influence should be de-emphasized in partisan politics through vigorous public enlightenment campaigns about the fundamental human rights of both the political aspirants and the electorates.

d. The electoral law should lay emphasis on proper conduct of primary elections in order to enhance the rights of the electorates in the choice of their candidates or representatives.

e. Random plebiscite should be introduced by the INEC in constituencies to ascertain the popularity or acceptance of candidates chosen by political parties through their primaries

f. Provision should be made for independent candidature in the electoral law in order to cut the wings of political godfathers

g. Abuse of the powers of incumbency should be curbed by appointing interim government in place of incumbent President, Governor and Local Government Chairmen shortly before the next elections. This will curb the practice whereby the aforementioned public office holders preside over the elections in which they are contesting and collude with godfathers to rig elections in their own favor with their paraphernalia of office

h. Political parties should cultivate and promote strict disciplines among members;

i. The immunity clause enshrined in the constitution should be expunged, so that any public officer that contravenes or violates any section of the constitution should be made to face the consequences of his/her actions;

j. That the spoils of office and material benefits to public positions should be made less attractive

k. That paper qualification and public experience in the art of governance should be emphasized at all levels of governance to discourage mediocres from mounting the mantle of leadership

l. The existing sentiments and parochial cleavages such as ethnicity and religion should not be a prerequisite when it comes to attracting the suitable qualified candidates for public/political office.

I'm Esan Emmanuel A.