Checking Godfatherism In Nigerian Politics

Mentoring is a universal concept that pervades all spheres of human existence, whether in private or public lives.

The phenomenon, analysts agree, has been with man since the dawn of civilization and remains relevant till the present day.

“It is the crucible through which leaders emerge or are groomed,” says a management consultant, Mr. Victor Ordia.

In Nigeria, however, opinions differ whether the phenomenon of “godfatherism” accords with the universal concept of mentoring.

Mr. Felix Oriakhi, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin, says that, “political godfathers” exist in all polities of the world, adding that Nigeria is not an exception.

“In an ideal sense, ‘political godfathers’ are persons who have vast influence and experience in politics, as well as in other endeavours. They are often persons of substantial means. They utilise these attributes of theirs to nurture upstarts, while grooming them to be leaders and successors in varied fields”.

“You do need a headstart in politics as in all other fields. You do not start from the sky; you start from the ground and that is why you need someone who is experienced and is already on the ground. You may call these already established persons ‘godfathers”.

Continues Oriakhi: “When Sen. Edward Kennedy died, President Barak Obama and many other Democrats wept because they felt they had lost a mentor; a man from whose vast political experience and acumen they had tapped from. Such a man eminently qualified to be called a ‘political godfather’ in the real sense of the word.”

Nowadays in Nigeria, however, the word – “godfather,” means a lot of things to different people. While some hold the ‘godfather’ in high esteem, many others view him with dread and ascribe to him, all manner of unwholesome traits, which they perceive as negating development in the society.

Perceptive political analysts say that “godfatherism” is a factor to reckon with in Nigeria’s partisan politics since the “godsons” of today grow up to become the “godfathers” of tomorrow.

While eminent Nigerians as Governor Adams Oshiomhole acknowledge the role of political mentors, he is, however, miffed by what he describes as “overbearing tendencies” of these godfathers, saying that some of them are getting too old and out of tune with political realities.

These godfathers have had their time, he maintains, adding that they must allow the younger ones to grow too.

Oshiomhole’s stance is quite understandable considering the volatile politics of Edo state, where notable godfathers dominate the political space.

As the debate continues on the extent of dividends of democracy since 1999, some political analysts say that the poor showing of some governments at different levels are directly traceable to the undue pressures on state resources by these” godfathers”.

“Some of these godfathers exert too much financial pressures on elected state chief executives, as well as lawmakers and political appointees at all levels”.

“They believe that these office holders must pay back all political favours, which ensured their election or appointments to their present positions”.

Dr Pius Odubu, the Deputy Governor of Edo state holds this viewpoint and says that many local councils have not performed just because certain “godfathers” are regularly serviced with funds meant for their areas’ development.

“Money allocated to local governments are enough to change the lives of the people but because of the activities of these “godfarh-:fs”, the situation of the people remains pathetic,” he laments.

Oriakhi suggests that Nigerian political godfathers must play the ideal role of mentors by refining the political process and abstaining from present practices that subvert the democratic process.

Assurances by Nwodo that his party will enhance its internal democracy in the build up to the 2011 general election raises some optimism for all aspirants in the party.

“Our members aspiring to carry our banner in future elections must start now to market themselves and canvass their programmes aggressively to our party members and the Nigerian electorate”.

“They must get hold of our party manifesto which is our covenant with the Nigerian people. It is our social contract with the electorate. That manifesto is the new face of the PDP,” he says.

A member of the House of Representatives, who asked not to be named, says that Nigerians should learn

to live with the “godfather” phenomenon as it is part of the nation’s political history and experience.

“If you want to make it in politics, you must cling to a “godfather” who often has money and influence. In so doing, there is a price to pay; it is a matter of personal choice”.

Continuing, he says: “This thing is turn-by-turn. When the current godfathers phase out, we younger ones, who would have cut our teeth in course of time, will replace them”.

“Godfathers in Nigeria are too self-seeking. They compromise every good rule just to advance their selfish and clannish interests”.

“They subvert all cherished democratic values in politics. In public offices, they enthrone mediocrity and thrive on tribal, religious and other mundane tendencies,” says Mrs. Maryam Imagbe, a secondary school teacher.

Oriakhi admits that the concept of godfatherism may have been abused and debased, from contemporary Nigerian experience.

“These days, Nigerian ‘political godfathers’ manipulate the system and use state machinery to corner resources at the expense of the people’s well being”.

“They deviate from the worthy legacies of the nation’s founding leaders, who as ‘godfathers’ of their time, led the way to true development of the nation, through responsible governance,” he says.

Since 1999, when the Fourth Republic began, many citizens have expressed worries over the conduct of some politicians widely regarded as “godfathers”. They are often accused of subverting internal democracy in their respective political parties through imposition of candidates, while party decisions are at their whims and caprices.

The new National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo made no bones about clipping the wings of “godfathers” within his political party, which supporters say is the largest party in Africa.

While proclaiming a ban on private visits by “godfathers” over official matters, Nwodo advised that political leaders in his party must learn to do “the right things in the right ways” ill5tead of cutting corners.

According to Nwodo, “we must return the choice of our candidates to the people and not to individual godfathers and godmothers,”’, stressing that, “our process of choosing our candidates must once again be subjected to internal democracy; to the dictates of our party constitution and the extant rules”.

“ The days of imposition of candidates; the hoisting of leaders on the people of Nigeria through rigged elections are over and over forever,” he says.

That bold statement, some political analyst say, was not amusing to known godfathers within Nwodo’s party as he was nearly removed from office at the last National Executive Council meeting of the party which held in Abuja but for divine providence.

“He spoke courageously against the antics of godfathers but there were strong signals of dissent from the party’s league of godfathers, who nearly removed him but for the reported ‘timely intervention’ by President Goodluck Jonathan to save him.

“Such are the powers and reach these godfathers in Nigeria’s partisan politics,” says Mr. James Onoja, who describes himself as a “political party watcher”.

Who are these godfathers in politics? Many citizens are prone to ask! Are they that faceless or they are just a myth?

“In the ranks of these godfathers are the ex-this and ex-that. They include money bags that are ex-heads of state, ex-governors, ex-ministers, retired army generals, tribal and religious leaders, as well as wealthy businessmen,” Onoja says.

“That is the reality of our situation. As a politician, you use different methods to actualise your dreams and interests and part of it is ‘godfatherism.”

Aside from the political turf, “godfatherism” also manifests in sports, according to Omede Mohammed, a former national amateur Super Heavyweight boxing champion.

He blames the nation’s declining fortune on the world’s sports stage on the nefarious roles of “godfathers” in sports.

“Godfathers are responsible for the nation’s poor showing in sports competitions and development. They subvert the selection process to favour their cronies, who are not necessarily the best to make a contingent or team,” he laments.

He urges sports authorities in Nigeria to do away with “godfathers” in the nation’s sports, particularly in the selection of athletes for international tournaments.

Mohammed Umaru, a public affairs analyst resident in Abuja says that, the “godfather” is not as evil a personality as is being portrayed by some people”.

“No political leader will like to see a structure he built by sweat and patriotism rubbished. To that extent such a leader will continue to influence certain political activities and decisions,” he says.

All said and done, while the concept of “godfatherism” is not unique to Nigeria, the concerns, however, are that excesses must be curtailed, while the gains from mentoring should be consolidated upon.

Celsus Obain writes for NAN.

Celsus Obain