By Suleiman Abubakar, MAPSA
Godfatherism is a dominant and entrenched phenomenon in Nigerian politics. It refers to a situation where influential individuals (godfathers) manipulate political processes by using their resources and influence to impose their chosen candidates on the electorate.
While godfatherism might seem like a mentorship model, its impact on Nigeria's democracy and governance has been overwhelmingly negative. Below are key reasons why it should be abolished:
Erosion of Democratic Principles
Godfatherism undermines the democratic process by prioritizing personal loyalty over competence. Rather than allowing the electorate to choose leaders based on merit, godfathers impose their candidates, stifling free and fair elections.
This erodes public confidence in democracy and perpetuates electoral apathy.
Promotes Corruption
Godfathers often see their investment in politics as a business. After ensuring their protégés win elections, they demand returns on their investments, often through contracts, appointments, or outright embezzlement.
This fosters a culture of corruption that impedes national development.
Encourages Mediocrity
By prioritizing loyalty and obedience over merit, godfatherism often places incompetent individuals in leadership positions. These leaders, lacking the vision or capacity to govern effectively, contribute to poor governance and policy failures.
Hampers Youth and Gender Inclusion
Godfatherism creates a political structure where only those with connections to the elite can rise to power. This excludes young people, women, and other marginalized groups who lack the financial resources or networks to challenge entrenched godfathers, perpetuating inequality in political representation.
Threatens National Stability
The influence of godfathers often leads to conflicts within political parties and between factions. This destabilizes the political system and sometimes results in violence during elections, further endangering national unity and security.
Hinders Accountability
Leaders installed by godfathers are often more accountable to their benefactors than to the people they were elected to serve. This disconnect between leaders and citizens leads to a lack of transparency, unfulfilled campaign promises, and poor service delivery.
Perpetuates Regional and Ethnic Division
Godfathers often prioritize their personal or regional interests over national unity. This deepens ethnic, regional, and religious divides, making it difficult to achieve the collective goal of nation-building.
The Way Forward
To abolish godfatherism and promote a more inclusive and effective political system, the following measures are necessary:
Strengthening Electoral Processes: Ensure free, fair, and credible elections by empowering electoral bodies and adopting transparent voting systems.
Enforcing Campaign Finance Laws: Regulate political financing to limit undue influence by wealthy individuals.
Civic Education: Educate citizens about their rights and the importance of voting based on merit rather than allegiance to godfathers.
Encouraging Grassroots Participation: Support community-driven leadership and encourage independent candidates to reduce reliance on political elites.
Judicial Independence: Strengthen the judiciary to hold politicians and their godfathers accountable for electoral malpractice.
Finally The abolition of godfatherism is crucial for Nigeria's political and socio-economic development. By eliminating this undemocratic practice, Nigeria can foster a political system that values merit, integrity, and accountability, ensuring that the interests of the people take precedence over the ambitions of a few powerful individuals.
