GODFATHERISM AND TRUE DEMOCRACY
Godfatherism is a symbiotic relationship between two persons namely; the godfather and the godson, where the godfather uses his political power and wealth to secure political position for the godson, who upon ascension into power, pays gratification to his mentor in kind or in cash.
Therefore the conflict arising from godfatherism has become one of the greatest problems facing the Nigerian political system. The holder of the political position becomes a stooge to his godfather because he that pays the piper dictates the tune. By the time the godson refuses to meet their (godfather’s)
demand, that is when the godfather will rise to portray with every sense of fidelity to the public by raising obnoxious subjugation against the Godson and in most cases threatens to impeach the Godson if possible.
Godfatherism has become a norm in Nigeria’s political environment, where without a godfather, an individual cannot secure a political position. In the fourth republic, it has assumed a ludricrous dimension in the Nigeria’s polity. Do we talk of Nwobodo and Nnamani’s saga or Ngige and Uba’s crisis amongst others. The masses have become the victims of the combustible conflict between the duo. Where does this leave our youths who are employed as agents 2 carry out their evil biddings? What is the future of aspiring politicians with vision, who have the peoples interest at heart?
Godfatherism has become a scary phenomenon in Nigeria politics. This is because; godfathers have sustained a reputation for deploying their wealth to secure party nomination for candidates of their choice, sponsor their elections including manipulating the electoral process for their selfish interest. This dominant political culture has not only been sustained by the privileged few but has become perverse and is today a major source of tension and political instability in the polity.
“In democracy one way that regime is breeding criminals is through godfather’s, godfatherism is old fashion enterprise that circulates around nation with different names or headings for centuries.”
Apparently it appears majority of our state governors are financed by such caliber of person and for those financed by their godfathers get into offices now have huge power in respective states. They assigned civil services and or political positions to who are not of the people but people of the privates(godfathers wish) .
Due to the overbearing influence of the political godfathers on political office seekers, the latter are robbed of their independence; thus they become mere surrogates and are conditioned in such a way that they become totally subservient to their godfathers.
Godfatherism invasion of the polity is for the nomination of political candidate for the purpose of selfish gratification. It is a political slave trade or political sponsorship based on political manipulation with several evil agenda. The problem associated with the cancerous phenomenon is that the perpetrators are no less a people in the society. The paradox here is that these godfathers do not share the core defining attributes of God. Political parties lack the capacity to act contrary to the wishes and aspirations of these godfathers because they look up to them to bankroll their campaigns and to use their influences to see their candidates through elections.
It is visible to note that democracy in Nigeria has not been fully institutionalized and
phenomenon of godfatherism has threatened democratic process and the socio-economic lives of the citizenry. Political godfathersim is a syndrome in our political process militating against democratic institution in order to satisfy their selfish interest they are even ready to asimile dons of mafia organization to their modus operandi, subjugating public office holders like governor and council chairman to their dictates. The activities of these political gladiators have denied the citizenry from electing their preferred candidates as their leader. The responses of the political gladiators can also be seen in the context of one preferring patronage at the expense of policy .
The occupant of political is expected to use this office personally in order to maintain it’s s political gladiators. Infact the godfather depends on state resources as his contribution to the political success of a government leader thereby opposing democratic dividends. Godfathers involved in election malpractices, using security agents to intimidate electorate during election.
Godfatherism is evil to society as it brings about political instability.
Godfatherism also suffers from the “inability thesis” in Nigerian politics where godsons see themselves as unable to win elections and for this reason subjugate themselves to godfathers to help them win elections. Godfatherism constitutes an impediment and a scourge to genuine democracy in Nigeria. It is antithetical to the liberty and welfare of the citizens. The issue of godfatherism should therefore not be treated as a party affair, but should be offered political, social and legal treatment by the government and stakeholders in Nigeria.
© Emmanuel Humble chukwuebuka
