INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHT LAWS – THE NEED FOR ACTION IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Before embarking on the journey to Equatorial Guinea, Malabo as a keynote speaker, as a trainee and beneficiary of the Batch II African Union-Youth Volunteer Corp (AU-YVC), and a West African Youth Representative to chair the “Six Man, Regional Committee” on Africa’s Youths and Sustainable Development as part of the culled Memo already slated for discourse by the Heads of State, during the “AU Heads of State General Assembly Summit”, a program that kicked off on 15^th June to end in 3^rd July, 2011.

Prior to my departure I have had an unbiased mindset; I thought Malabo was the most peaceful place in Africa undermining the power of the media and other agents of staged manage frenzy propagandas; and the recurring of the “Hired Crowd” probabilities. But from the inside, it is the most notorious place to be; where more than 73.88% of its city’s population are in jail-house. Of this estimate, more than 62.30% are foreigners, 22% are opposition members; while a fragment are those who by the law of the land were locked behind bars for a purely criminal perpetuations.

Malabo is like the City of Tinapa, Cross-River State  in Nigeria; which means as small as it is, the whole city is trekable within a time frame of 2hrs at most.

At every point, both civilians who are ‘pro-Obiang’ and the law enforcements virtually knows every members of the “freed” facially; and could identify those who are new among them. Notwithstanding, a situation could arise where the civilian-Malaboans can stop a stranger and interrogate him/her. Since it is recalled that no non-immigrant enters the city without the notice of the customs and other authorities instituted by the Government; vetoed by the President himself, it is a known fact that foreigners are stopped at any point in time and questioned, humiliated and harassed if they so wished.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA:

The current president of Equatorial Guinea is Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The 1982 constitution of Equatorial Guinea, written following the 1979 deposition of dictator Francisco Macías Nguema and with help from the UN, gives the presidency extensive powers, including naming and dismissing members of the cabinet, making laws by decree, dissolving the Chamber of Representatives, negotiating and ratifying treaties and serving as commander in chief of the armed forces. The Prime Minister, Ignacio Milam Tang is appointed by the President and operates under powers designated by the President.

On Christmas 1975, Macías had 150 alleged coup plotters executed to the sound of a band playing Mary Hopkin's tune Those Were the Days in a national stadium.

It is estimated that 250,000 people (approximately one-third of the population) were killed or fled into exile during Macías' reign.

President Obiang overthrew previous dictator Francisco Macías Nguema on 3 August 1979 in a bloody coup d'état. Since August 1979 some 12 real and perceived unsuccessful coup attempts have occurred. The 'real' coup attempts were often perpetrated in an attempt by rival elites to seize the state's economic resources.

THE CLANDESTINE BATTLE OVER THE RESOURCES OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA – M16 VS CIA

Under President Obiang, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, in April 2006, to establish a Social Development Fund in the country, implementing projects in the areas of health, education, women's affairs and the environment; while the MAIN and the primes of the EHM (Economic Hitmen) continued to play prank with the economic politics of EQ while undermining the very vital benefits of human rights and justice as enshrined in the UN-Universal Human Right laws.

Since 2005, MPRI, a U.S. based international policing consulting company, has worked in Equatorial Guinea to train police forces in appropriate human rights practices. In February 2010, Equatorial Guinea signed a contract with the MPRI subsidiary of the US defense corporation, L3 Communications for coastal surveillance and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Although President Obiang signed a national anti-torture decree in 2006 to ban all forms of abuse and improper treatment in Equatorial Guinea and commissioned the renovation and modernization of Black Beach prison in 2007 to ensure the humane treatment of prisoners, human rights abuses continue. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International among other non-governmental organizations have documented severe human rights abuses in prisons, including torture, beatings, unexplained deaths and illegal detention.

Under President Obiang, the basic infrastructure of Equatorial Guinea has also improved. Asphalt now covers more than 80% of the national roads and ports and airports are being built across the entire country.

According to a March 2004 BBC profile, politics within the country are currently dominated by tensions between Obiang's son, Teodorin, and other close relatives with powerful positions in the security forces. The tension may be rooted in power shift arising from the dramatic increase in oil production which has occurred since 1997.

A November 2004 report named Mark Thatcher as a financial backer of a 2004 Equatorial Guinea coup d'état attempt to topple Obiang, organized by Simon Mann. Various accounts also name the United Kingdom's MI6, the United States' CIA, and Spain as having been tacit supporters of the coup attempt. Nevertheless, the Amnesty International report released in June 2005 on the ensuing trial of those allegedly involved highlighted the prosecution's failure to produce conclusive evidence that a coup attempt had actually taken place.

Simon Mann was released from prison on November 3, 2009 for humanitarian reasons. The presidential decree pardoning Mann from prison cites concerns about his physical health and the need for him to receive ongoing care in his home country.

President Obiang was re-elected to serve an additional term in 2009 in an election deemed by the African Union as “in line with electoral law”. The President reappointed Prime Minister Ignacio Milam Tang and installed a new government in Equatorial Guinea on January 12, 2010.

The new government is dedicated to strengthening the “cooperation and friendship” with the Barack Obama administration. During a meeting on the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly, President Obiang urged President Obama to institute a U.S–Africa summit, to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Africa.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL – INTENTIONAL OVERSIGHT:

Unfortunately, it is lugubrious to state here that Amnesty International who claimed to be the defenders of justice and human rights have intentionally overlooked the human right violations in Equatorial Guinea, Cameroun and other Francophone/Anglophone Central and East Africa Countries against their neighbouring African brother and sister States.

ANALYSING THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN CHALLENGES IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA

It is a complete Irony for a nation that scores -0% in Human right protection to chair the African Union; in fact it is unimaginable that such a place should be proposed to hold an AU Summit of such Africa's Heads of State's Summit...This is laughable!

Anybody can question my sources; they are all lying there in the streets and lips of all here in Malabo, as with what I have seen in Malabo, Kyiosi, Bioko and its surrounding; how the number of Nigerians in their prisons has risen to 83.22% of those allowed to walk freely in their streets while our embassy/consulate are adamant and ignore the senseless human right abuse of our nationals in Equatorial; where every night the Malaboans Police, Military and other law enforcement personnel invade foreigners private space and buddle them like criminals for senseless trials and accusation for various baseless offenses from immigration matters to victimization.

THE CAMEROUNIAN ONTOLOGICAL HATRED

There is a special hatred which is pronounced for Ghanaians and Nigerian Nationals , whereas Cameroonians with similar pattern of psychopathology of Hate lives here almost in peace with the Malaboans. The same hate pattern also exist between Nigeria and Cameroun, where several murders and brutality has been recorded and reported to the Nigerian Consulate in Douala and Yaoundé, yet like the mentally retarded, our embassy have always chickened and conspired to aid and albeit Cameroonians and their government in the perpetuation of human right abuse; since they have ignored several reports that got to them on matters of human right violations of the Cameroonians and the Cameroonian Government against Nigerians

 I have seen with my own eyes, how can a man – (President Obiang) that claim to be the custodian and Chairman of the African Union (AU) woke up one day and forcefully shipped out his own Nationals; those within the Age Brackets of 15-50years of age to Bioko the nearby island; and left the fragile imbecile generation of those within 55-90years to remain in Malabo. Why, this was to prevent revolution!

Because of his fear for foreign and imported ideologies, his plans was to frustrate the foreigners living there so they cannot protest or be made to support the oppositions against him. Those who oppose him are either going to find themselves in the chopped into pieces and thrown to the pigs for consumption, so that such persons won't be traced. What about the countless foreigners and Opposition members the Equatorial Guinean policy and coast guards kills every day?

What about the invasion and assassinations going on in Malabo, Kyiosi and Bioko of the younger generation every minutes. It is known that a population of less than 250,000 only less than 20,000 is seen in the streets of Malabo, more than 80,000 people are found in Bioko and Kyiosi...

You may want to ask me where are the remaining ones? I will tell you by equating a mathematically and logical differentials. of the remain 150,000 people, more than 120,000 people plus the foreigners are locked out in jail, another 2000 are in house arrest, another 4000 are closely marked to sign a paper that they can't leave the confines of Malabo. While roughly 24,000 people Nationals are outside the country predominantly purposeless due to the high delegations set up by the President himself to intimidate and harass his political opponents.

HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATION AND RACISM – THE NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE:

Stupidity is part of the erudite colours of the very intellectually undeveloped, know this! But when the very selected and knowledgeable on the scheme of things are known to challenge the power(s) that be, they are countered with the arsenals of injustice as if they are rebels of good fortune; whereas they are the defenders of the oppressed.

Only few Nigerians understand the workings of Africa; and of the counter-Espionage, counter-Terrorism, Counter-Clandestinism and Counter-Intelligence network of Gaddafi; only the few will understand; but the gullible of which so many Nigerians stand at the front seat are tooth protruded to cast the first stone.

This is a man-Gaddafi who worked not only to make life better for Libyans, but to ensure this Notorious "House of Shame" - 'The African Union' is kept intact and polished to the standard of altitude. There was never any base of unity for African Union; it’s a charade!

If you have toured Africa as i have, especially the east and central Africa; you will understand that the leaders of these injustice-prone or brutal country states deserves not to be called a country. In Malabo Equatorial Guinea and Cameroun for instance, there is a high placed "Democratic Dictatorship" of these presidents to their own people, and an unbroken line of hatred for their fellow Africans of neighbouring countries such as Nigeria of the highest order; a hatred worse than racism; a barbaric interrelatedness, what a Shame for Africa and Africans!

Equatorial Guinea is a nation where more than 97% of those between 55-90years of age lives in Malabo the central and hub of economic activities, surrounded by Ocean, an Island of vast recourses, whereas from 15-55years of age were shipped out over night to Bioko; why? To prevent revolution! African Leaders have learnt from the lesions of Northern African revolutionary trends; and its continues to ring on like a bell?

In Malabo, foreigners, exclusive of Americans who mines the oil and does the dirty work are treated like Angels, Equatorial Guineans and other nationals of Africa are treated like Animals, whereas our Nigerian Consulate here behaves like an imbecile saying nothing while Nigerians are thrown into jail for no just cause. Yes No just cause I say, because before you enter into the country, your papers are complete; else no fleas fly into their air, land or water space/zone without their Knowledge. The reason the Mr. President Obiang mandated that every non-immigrant should come by air; yet these immigrants are treated by the custom officers, Police, Military and civilians like slaves; doing everything humanly possible to make Malabo unbearable to stay for foreigners. Whereas Equatorial Guineans lives  in Peace and Harmony in other countries. Who is at the receiving end?

The purpose of this essay is to inform the International Community that there is a high level of human right abuses in the economic hub of Equatorial Guinea – Malabo, where the AU-Summit is slated to hold.

If the International Community cannot address these problems of human right violations; except there are oil-ontological interest, else all the known world human right agencies should advocate for full respect of the International Human Right laws as against the perceived niche and discrepancies of the Equatorial Guinean Laws on Human Rights.

As an expert in Human Abuse and Conflict Management, I shall continue to investigate the true nature of things, and relate same to the necessary International Agencies for the protection of Human Rights.

There is a grave act of injustice in Equatorial Guinea under the orders of the Mr. President Obiang, and holding the AU-Summit there is a pure Irony to the Demands of Amnesty International as regard Peace, Justice and human right protection; and Nigerians most especially are being treated like criminals; and yet the AU-Heads of State summit will be held in the most notorious country-state of Africa with a disposition of “zero tolerance” to respect of human dignity.

……. To Be Continued!!!

LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA

The success of the development countries of the world is not only attributable to their technological and infrastructural development, but the human elements of their societies that are saddled with the responsibility of managing both the human and material resources in a productive manner. This is leadership. But regrettably despite the abundant human and material of Nigeria, the social, political land economic quagmire confronting the people, reflects poor leadership and bad governance.

Nigeria is a country populated with over 150 million people of which 92% of the population are subjected to the dictates and manipulation of the other 8% cutting across the notion with its membership drawn from the military, politician, business classes and the traditional institutions. And by extension, the sons and daughters of member of this group are part of it. They have greatly influence leaders style and processes in Nigeria over the years this has been a problem to the masses.

Worst still are the resultant consequence of high rate of inflation, unemployment, poverty and crime that are prevalent in Nigeria because we lack a mental physically and morally credible persons as leaders with the vision and political will to move the country out of it present situation. Therefore corruption, indiscipline and lawlessness have become an acceptable norm in our society. While the educational, health, technological and industrial sectors have over the years suffer  great neglect due to bad governance. Thus Nigeria ahs been described as one of the poorest countries of the world. And transparency international, an international organization also qualifies it as one of the most corrupt countries of the world.

Nigeria has been bedeviled because in the past it has been unfortunate to have wrong people centre state of our political life as leaders with political power run the government. Even though the present leadership of president Obasanjo is embarking on series of political and economic reforms, he still has a morality question hanging over his victory of the has 2003 presidential election. Therefore his crusade for transformation is seen by a lot of people as suspect.

However not until the people come to terms with this realities of the associated problems of bad leadership, they will continually pay the price of having wrong people as our leaders lacking in the appropriate qualities suffix to say that there is yet to be light in the tunnel with regards to the efficient management of the resources of the country. And thus in due to the fact that the leadership selection process and style has never been transparent and appropriate. The consequence has been having “square pegs on round holes” politically, with greedy, selfish and morally bankrupt people as leaders because they have the barrel of the gun or fabulously rich at the expense of the generality of the people with the wealth that can not be substantiated by them and with this they have held majority of people political and economic hostages.

Unequivocally, Nigerians have never had the privilege of good leaders whose good works have been justified by history. Rather they are often credited abuse of office without the regards for code of conduct and decency required of public office holders as in a civilized society. Unfortunately these same people are often given recognition by way of titles and award by the society for their ironical performances.

This has been due to social decadence and the defect in value system, where merit in slaughtered in the alter of mediocrity. Regrettably, mediocre have been largely chosen to be the leadership pathfinder for Nigeria, because unprincipled, visionless and unproductive people have been given the responsibility of piloting the leadership affairs of the country.

While leadership has been considered the biggest problems of Nigeria, if will not be complete at the system that has been responsible for good leadership and government rendering the country. From independence there has been series of military rule and democratic rule yet we have not been able to substantiate the advantage of one over the other because of the caliber of people who are in charge of the administration of the country due to the selfish idealistic tendencies of our past leaders, lacking in the political will and commitment to move Nigeria forward in terms of political and economic development.

This is as a result of the fact that corruption, mismanagement, nepotism and the lack of nationalist tendencies has over the years associated with past leaders. They have always been very hypocritical about the social and political system. They say a thing and do another accounting for the failure of good government policies in time past. For instance they are quick to condemning corruption, tribalism and violation of human right. Bu what do we see? They are the one who will fraudulently enrich themselves with public money, having huge sum of money in several foreign banks, propagate tribalism for their selfish interest and using their financial power and position to oppress and exploit their people such that those who venture to oppose them, they descent on.

Sequel to the above and without prejudice in Nigeria we have always have rulers and not leaders because no matter the democratic status that may be attached with civilian leaders, they often manifest attributes of despots, qualifying them for near maximum rulers. Rather than they being servants of the people they carry themselves as masters and over Lord of the people. This is why a very few individuals, cabal imposes their decisions and will over the generality of the people also wage it is in their personal and group interest.

Having recognized that the lack of good leadership is the problem with Nigeria the situation or very pitiable and frustration because it has resulted in a lot of financial and economic wastages, leaving majority of Nigerians to contend with the problem of poverty and hopelessness.  And the reaction any social and psychological consequences do met support meaningful development.

However we can meet full about good governance in Nigeria as long as good leadership continue to elude us. If the had is sick the entire body suffers it therefore if the entire process and system of government must be productive, those who be presidents left exclusively for Nigerians with proven qualities and ability to hold such position and not on an all corners affairs.

The political and economic mishaps in Nigeria are principally products of bad leadership. Rather than been very practical, political leaders at the local and national levels are better than rising without making progresses that will justify them and finds expended by government  resulting in relative retrogression of our national life as people particularly as government has not sufficiently been responsible to its citizenry. And because leaders have often failed to lead by example indiscipline, disorderliness, lawlessness flagrant disregard for constitutionality has been their characteristics.

The quest for better leadership by Nigerians instigated the struggle for democratic rule as against military dictation in Nigeria to ensure good governance. And since the resurgence of democratic rule, our political indices have not shown any clear cut difference in the attitude of leaders whether democratic or military rulers, because it is insufficient to posit, that having a legislative organ guarantees the operations of democratic principles and sustainable democratic rule. Which is the case in Nigeria where the legislature is almost becoming an extension of the executive arm of government.

With regards to leadership and good governance, the political developments in recent times are a contradiction of the fundamentality for our struggle for democracy. Rather we have only succeeded in allowing a group of primitive thieves masquerading as politicians to take over the leadership of the country. Therefore no matter how much effort the present leader chief Olusegun Obasanjo may put in place, it may not be easy to achieve the desire results except there is the genuineness of intension and purposes with strong determination to make the system work. Suffice to say that the political class as it is today cannot be extricated from the display of irresponsibility in governance.

Most policies of government fail not because they were not good enough but due to political “god fatherism” and ideological short sightedness on the part of politicians and leaders. Policies are not allowed to work when they are against the interest of those perceived to be friends and relatives of political leaders. Some leaders are first to defile them, to allow them enrich themselves through corrupt and fraudulent practices. But ironically we often hear them sing songs of anti-corruption with hypocritical lips embarking on the fools ventures of finding a “dead man’s shadow”.

Nigerians have been suffering the effect of bad governance due to bad leadership for a long time because of the corrupt, selfish and greedy altitude. Leaders because majority of them lack good pedigree and also suffer from poverty of the intellect as expressed in their pursuit for material wealth, without quitting society with any legacy. Hence do not mind if all the political, society and economic sector of Nigeria paralyses. The facial expression of poverty and hunger of most Nigerians does not border them money and properties abroad.

This ugly trend has continued because the leadership selection process in Nigeria is characterization by fraud. Political moneybags has hijacked the process, and election massively rigged in favour of ruling parties. Therefore having disciplined, visionary, progressive, intelligent and qualitative leadership has become a mirage to the Nigerian people. And the transformation to meet the challenges of the modern globalize world of competitiveness has impossible.

This unholy and fraudulent process of leadership and imposition on the generality of the people by a very few, has never encourage the political development of Nigeria. And because the notion is politically unhealthy there is economic and social perspective also suffers. Unequivocally, leadership problem has been an albatross to developing Nigeria due to its structural defect, with a leadership selection process that is merely a public office holders, both on military and civilian governors, ministers, head of states still control the political leadership of the country directly or indirectly even when they had performed poorly while they were in office and credited with the present over bearing political, social and economic woes in the country.

Nigerian leaders do not care about the multiplicity of problem facing majority of the people, food, education, employment and poverty alleviation rather they are more concern about how much money they can make using their public offices. Because the system in Nigeria is very porous nothing is impossible. No political discipline, accountability and probity amongst the people and political class. In Nigeria past governors, ministers, and president or head of states are rich enough to buy the entire country if put up for sale due to their unjustifiable wealth. Suffice to ay that in Nigeria whether public or private sectors, leaders end up richer than organizations and institutions which they have been given the opportunity to manage and living same in worst conditions that they have been given the opportunity to manage and living same in worst condition than they ever met it and people now perceive politics and government craze for political applicants and power by politicians at whatever cost.

And a look at the concept of leadership with the Nigeria context, this will ordinarily incite a provocation against leaderships because political leaders in time past have failed the people before they become political leaders keys solving the Nigerian problem, but unfortunately greed and excess of undue benefits accruing to their office soon separates them from the people, leaving in a new world of class desires much aspiration. This is demonstrated in government policies and actions that are unpopular.

Political leaders in Nigeria whether military or civilian past and present has always desire political offices because of the benefits accruing to the office and not because they love their fatherland. This is why ting would even employ diabolical instruments of ethnicity and religion to achieve this in ordinate ambitions. Unfortunately majority of the people are yet to know that religion, ethnicity, and political zones of any candidate as a prerequisite for their choice of leaders both portend a stable and progressive polity for the country.

This is because there is nothing to show that one would be guaranteed a better social and economic benefit because of the governor or president performances and qualities, rather from antecedence only the immediate family member and close friends are those to be favoured. This has over the years created the element of suspicion that has characterized the relationship between government and the people. And it is attributable to the political and elite class of our societies and especially those who cannot stand competitions from boarder perspective of a Nigerian entity. Due to illiteracy, misinformation the people are indoctrinated by local leaders with false claims of protecting their religion and ethnic interest, while they are the true enemies of their own people.

From antecedence the role of political leaders have not been able to galvanize all elements of the Nigeria society for the desired development. Regrettably this is because the pool of leaders in Nigeria is largely dominated by people who ordinary have no business in holding political office, political misfits with ideological deficiency, without any defendable political vision for Nigeria, hence having good governance has been a mirage therefore it is pertinent that leadership at whatever level should be of men and women of credible leadership qualities and judged by the content of their character.

Unfortunately, in this country successive head of state and government have never been gotten on a just and equitable basis. Constitutions have been severally suspended and amend but it has always been to protect and give more powers to president and governors and this in turn fdo not support good leadership and governance. This can be traceable to the peculiar administration circumstances of late Gen Sani Abacha and Gen. Abubakar Abdul salami and president Ibrahim Babangida. Although they were military leaders, their working document as constitution of the president civilian government in their product.

From the lowest to the highest position of authority, Nigeria is constrained to develop by political cabals that have been clogs to the wheel progress in Nigeria. Our kind of Leadership and governance has always been the product of cabals that is influenced by greed, selfishness, and primitive wealth accumulating tendencies. This they have made nonsense, the potentials of greatness for Nigeria. These inadequacies over the year have resulted in huge financial and material losses such that resources, which could have been put into profitable ventures end up in the private foreign and local accounts of individuals leaving the masses to bear the brunt, like the ceaseless price increment on petroleum products to be able to meet financial commitment to international creditors.

The situation was that bad that the ugly head of bad leadership were also expressed in the Nigeria military and Para-military institutions, with so much political decadence and power intoxication Nigerians were held political hostages in their country, with the internal security agents operating in a Gestapo manner. Yet only the beneficiaries and apologists of military rule never saw anything wrong with the system. Though common to all military rules but was very typical of Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime.

Due to the inability of the political class in Nigeria to provide good leadership and governance, this military severally sized power to institutionalize military rule all over the country and unfortunately in Nigeria. Suffice to say that the political class is our albatross to national development as alternative to the military. Ye the “worst civilian regime is better than the best military rule” however the military leadership and governance in Nigeria has been catastrophic.

Regrettably, the unfair and unjust democratic process in Nigeria today is a product of the military’s doctored democratic process, characterized by misfits and leaders who are largely embarrassment to the nation, pointing to the structuring problem of democratic dictatorship in Nigeria by leaders and other public office holders and unfortunately there are no indicators that effort are been geared towards redressing the ugly trends in the Nigerian polity. Otherwise how can the Independent National Electoral Commission contemplate a rejection of international organizations from observing elections in the country?

Unequivocally, military rule or leadership lack the content and ability to provide a country like Nigeria the leadership it deserves, that will socially, politically and economically transforms it. The Military dispensation in Nigeria was a charade. Rather than improving the lives of the people, they made them poorer than they met them for about 20 years of military rule and destroying our value system.

The issue of corruption and fraud, the military in connivance with top civil servants and politicians who were apologist to every new military government in power, plundered the resources of the country. Their instrument employed by them, can be best described in a headmaster pupil-relationship where the peoples right and though were often abused the superior one of the military leadership. Their concern was how to remain in power using guns to enforce compromising behavior from the people.

As a result the military handed the constitution for the operation of the fourth republic, which has characterized excessive concentration of power at the centre. For security and police operation, even if the state governors are the chief executives of their respective states ironically the police commissioners are not answerable to their governors.

Fraudulently, there is the provision of an exemption clause in the constitution, which protects president, and governors while in office from prosecution, pending the expiration of the tenure in office. And this does not help to promote probity and accountability in a society like ours.

With this type of development, large-scale corruption and other  fraudulent activities is associated with political leaders in Nigeria revenue allocated to states and Local government a third tier of government as recognized by constitution are not only mismanaged but primitive embezzle or shared among major political players that is “godfathers” under one disguise or the other which is transferred to their foreign account and the acquisition of properties which they can not justify before Nigerians. Yet the people still desire good governance under this comatose system.

Evidently, all structural factors of the Nigerian society for development are defective, Rather than progressing we have relatively retrogressed in our national life because of poor leadership. Yet there are no sign to ending this reoccurring decimal in our polity, since accountability and transparency is yet to have its place in “Nigeria democracy” characterized with massive rigging of election results by political parties orchestered by the ruling party at the federal and state levels which was the case the 2003 elections.

This ugly trend in our electoral process contradicts good leadership selection process in Nigeria, where the electoral body Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) became a near department of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its electoral and returning officers were dominated by the ruling party’s card-carrying members and sympathizers. How then could elections to be free and fair in Nigeria? And unfortunately benefactors of this unjust system have failed to perform due to mediocrity, arrogance and sarcasms with which they often conduct themselves, suggesting they are not accountable to the people because they are not in office with the peoples mandates.

In the interest of our polity, INEC was dependent and cannot be a true and unbiased umpire because the appointment of its top management officers and funding makes it subset table to the influence of the party or government in power that will do everything possible to hold on to political power in the country.

Today, Nigerians are at a cross road in their inability to know which system would guarantee a better leadership, hence this confusion is demonstrated the agitation for a return to the parliamentary system of government or better still a hybrid of parliamentary-presidential systems. Though one is not unaware of the many gains of these systems of government, unless there is a serious effort to change the status quo our kind of leaders and value system whether political or social will always contradict a just and equitable democratic process where leaders are rather selected than elected by the people. Regrettably our leaders have not only embarrassed Nigerians but prove that they are mentally and psychologically inferior to their counterparts in Europe and Asia.

Under this present circumstance, the leadership of our political parties lack the credentials for providing the nation with good leaders given he condition under which the parties operate, without much emphasis on the qualities and credibility of their candidates but on their ability to financially gratify party leaders “godfathers” and pay other sum of money for ridiculous reasons, thus principle and discipline are of little or no consequences. And ironically people with better qualities or endowment are often relegated for parochial reasons as dictated by party leaders.

For good leadership and governance in Nigeria, the society and leadership selection must be anchored on sound value system for probity and accountability because Nigerian politicians are not guided by progressive ideologies let alone politics of decency. Thus politicians and political office holders are often seen as political businessmen investing and spending so much money to win elections, expectedly their investment yields them dividend through corruption and embezzlement of public fund at the detriment of the generality of people. Hence politicians are ready to kill their opponent to be in office because of the limitless and undeserved benefits that are associated with political offices in Nigeria. It is very imperative that if the country must develop, only those with the interest of the people and the right pedigree of leadership that should be allowed the opportunity to serve and not those selfish, wicked, criminally minded and parochial members of the political class whose intellect and imaginative power is suspect with preference for primordial values as leaders in Nigeria.

THE POLITICS OF GODFATHERISM IN NIGERIA, THEPAST, PRESENT AND THE FUTURE

SECTION ONE

INTRODUCTION

The Nigerian political process prior to the year 1999 has been dominated by military role, but with the introduction of democratic role after several years of political subjugation or  hostage in the hands of the military, the political process seem to be under threat with the emergence of political mentors or godfathers of public office holders [godsons].

These godfathers are rich and had so much political influence within their individual states and the country in general. They decide who become governor, legislator, local government chairman etc in their constituencies. They ensure that they get into political offices through whatever means whether legitimate or illegitimate, largely employing unconventional methods to achieve their aim of political relevance.

They believe that every man has his price and would spend money to win the support of other people in the pursuance of their political interest; elections are rigged with falsification of electoral results to achieve their objective with members of the opposition suppressed or assassinated if becoming difficult to handle.

The role of these godfathers vis-à-vis their modus oprandi is yet to convince many people that they portend something good for the political process in Nigeria. As they often appear benevolent to some people whom enjoys one favour or the other from them in their Mafioso operation, but desperately dangerous.

Their formidable political structures and mechanism if well utilized could strengthen democracy and improve the political process. But, on the contrary the political process in Nigeria is like sitting on a political bomb to be ignited and we all know the consequences of such, particular as no meaningful development can be achieved both at the local and national levels. The attitude of these political godfathers portray their disregard for the rule of law in a country believe to have constitution where nobody is suppose to be above the law of the land.

With their enormous wealth and influence in government, they have affected the three Arms of government, the executive, legislature and judiciary. Particularly security outfits to the extent that the neutrality of the Nigerian police force and judiciary leaves us with the question for posterity to judge. More worrisome is manner with which corrupt public officials (godsons) are protect and exonerated of corruption charges in legally technical manner call plea bargain which allows them to continually enjoy their loots.

Nigerians are therefore not happy with the abysmal performance of a large number of governors, legislators and local government council chairman; who unfortunately cannot be called to order as long as they remain in the good books of their political godfathers.

This has translated into bad governance with the failure to socio-politically and economically transform our societies regardless of the huge amount often allocated to the various levels of government that have not been able to justify such government spending.

As long as political sons continue to pay homage or remain loyal to their mentor and godfather their stay in office is guaranteed regard less of their performance or the people interest. Thus the several fighting between godfathers and their political sons that has occurred in several states of the federation becomes interesting.

There is now the cries of confidence between some state governors and their godfathers is spreading like a plague and the combatant are battling for the control of their states, in a manner that will qualify for a national disgrace while the people and government suffer this ugly development

SECTION TWO

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This study is to look at political godfatherism and its implication on the Nigerian political process looking at some states. How political office holders are elected into public offices will be considered and to know why they do not perform particularly as they enjoy the support of their political mentors.

I would try to mention why these godfathers are very powerful to extent that they circumvent political and legal process to suit their interest or that of their candidate using the police and judiciary and other illegitimate means.

The study will also try to let us know why political godfathers and their godsons often fight themselves embarrassing citizens of this country, especially as they use undemocratic and crude means to settle their political differences.

How much do women get supported by political godfather and if not, do they not enjoy their support and what does godfatherism portends for the democrat process in Nigeria. It shall also try to make recommendation to preserving and protecting the political process from the over bearing influence of political godfathers.

DEFINTION OF TERMS: It is at a point imperative to look at the meaning of godfather or godfatherism, political and process as the case may be for the understanding of the question.

Godfather is a man who promises to help a child and teach him or her Christian values. And in another definition godfathers is said to be the head of a criminal organization or mafia group. [Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Third Edition pg.611]

Political:- Connected with the government or public affairs of a country and its relation with other country.[I bid pg. 1089]

Process: A series of natural developments or events that produce gradual change or a series of actions that someone takes in order to achieve a particular result. [I bid pg. 1124]

Godson: - A boy that a godparent promises to help and to teach Christian values [I bid pg.611]

SECTION THREE

GODFATHERISM IN NIGERIAN POLITICAL PROCESS

The role of godfather can better be understood if we have the privilege of watching the Italian firm called godfather. With star actor Don Cleriacuzo as the head of the Sicilian mafia, taken control of the economic and political spheres of their society via any means possible (including eliminating opponents) while they (godfather) play the role of saints.

However, in the context we use the word godfather can best be described as the head of a political group operating in mafia style.

We have seen people (godfathers) in Nigeria installing the political sons to public offices as governors, legislator and local government chairmen. All these entail huge resources and circumventing of electoral processes for their candidate who may not actually be the best on grounds of merit or the people’s choice by popular demand or vote.

This is to say that godfathers in connivance with their agent manipulate election processes to impose / install their political godsons as governors, legislators, and local government chairmen etc, as faith will have it, there have been several sourced relationship between the political sons and fathers with each gunning for each others jugulars to the detriment of the people who may not have bargained for political crises.

“Expectedly, there is always a failure on the part of the godson when he    sees threat from the godfather as a reciprocal opposite to ward of the godfather.”]Tell October 6, 2003, pg. 22]

Consequence upon the inability of political sons to continually grease the financial wheel or purse of their godfather and in their attempt to assert their authority as public officers. Running their administration against been dictated to by of some of their mentors/political fathers, this has resulted in the removal of some of them from office, as godfathers will not fail to invoke their instrument of political supremacy. We shall look at some this ugly trend has occurred.

OYO State: In Oyo State the former governor Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja was removed from office and his deputy Alao –Akala sworn as the new governor using his supporter in the Oyo House of Assembly. This is as resulted of the governor not being loyal to his political godfather Alhaji Adedibu who made him nominated in 2002 as the gubernatorial candidate of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Among the charges against the Ex-while governor were. That he disregard the principle of separation of powers and the purchase of 33 graders at the sum of N700 million without going through tenders board in violation of section 192(2) and (3) of local government systems law of 2001. (Tell, January 23^rd, 2006.pg.18)

Eight pro-impeachment legislators held a session in parliament during which they adopted the report of Ayorinde’s panel and passed a motion for ladoja’s impeachment within 25 minutes. The report found him guilty of his changes out if 14 preferred against him were suspended.

This was done despite the illegality of the panel according to Minstura Bolaji-Yusuf of an Ibadan high court. The inauguration of the panel was secretly done by the CJ who made no public appearance throughout the sitting, but was present to swear in the deputy as governor. This was said to be the price Ladoja had to pay for being disloyal to the godfather Adedibu who was to control the administration of the government, by wanting to determine those to becommionaries. Ladoja was accused of not giving enough money to Adedibu.

“I put him there. So, if I demand money, Will it be wrong? Do I need to ask for it?

Before he gives it to me? I never demand money from him” (Adedibu in tell, January 23, 2006 pg 21)

Yet had received up to N100 million from Ladoja’s private account since he became governor in May 29 2003. Tell, October 6^th 2003 pg. 18)

Among the offences of Ladoja was stopping Akeem Adedibu his godfather’s son from illegally collecting revenue from Bola Ige Ultra-modern market along Ibadan.[I bid]

The ex-while governor was said to be too close to vice president Atiku Abubakar who was against the president.

As a show of power the deputy governor was in an occasion slapped by the godfather who claimed to have single handedly made the deputy governor.

Anambra state

The issue of political godfather in Anambra State has been a re-occurring decimal in the politics of the state. The role of godfather can be summarizing by arrogance, abuse of law and order and insult on the generality of people.

The former governor Mbadinnugu was frustrated by his political godfather Emeka Ofor, thus while the rest four PDP governors of the south east return as governors in 2003 Chinwoke Mbadimaju saw stopped by his political opponents.

In 2003 with the financial and political maneuvering of Chris Uba, Dr Chris Ngige on April19 same year was declared the winner of the gubernatorial election courtesy of the role played by his godfather. In no distant time the relationship between Chris Ngige then governor and Chris Uba went sour. This was due to the godfather’s attempt to control and dominate the governor for the benefit of getting more public funds to himself, he Uba had asked the governor to be paying him four million naira (N4, 000,000) monthly to defray the cost of install him to office,( Tell, October 6^th, 2003 pg.19) Ngige’s refusal was the beginning of trouble.

In Uba’s effort to deal with his disloyal godson, he spearheaded the abduction of the governor from government house using AIG Raphael Ige lead team of policemen to abduct Ngiges  Were replaced with Ngige’s sympathizers. Also Uba’s company, Oil Construction Nigeria Limited was getting N10million monthly directly from Anambra’s federal allocation which was to fun the ongoing construction of new government house, this was stopped by the governor. (Tell, December 1^st , 2003 pg. 24

On Friday, November 14, 2003 the convoy of the governor veered of the road for Uba’s long convey, practically pushing the governors out of the narrow road. He Uba had a retinue of intimidating security aides. While legislators and other top government functionaries lost the use of police orderlies, Uba’s band of security escort and mobile police guard continue to grow, he was said be very close to the presidency.

“if factions are fighting then government can mediate, but this is only one group burning houses. There nothing the state government can do” [Sir Chris Atuegwa, Tell November 22, 2004, pg 22]

However, Uba would stop at nothing to pull Ngige down from the office, had some part of the government house burnt by his supporters and used other conventional and unconventional means to secure. Amazingly, INEC which had earlier defended the integrity and result in the lower tribunals, on appeal now hold that the April 19, 2003 gubernatorial election in Anambra state was marred by wide spread irregularities and malpractices which brought in governor Nigige, that 371970 votes from 90 wars out of 208 from 14 LGS were void. [Tell, March 27, 2006, pg 28]

In August 12, 2006 the Election petition Appearl Tribunal in Enugu, after a protracted legal battle challenging the election of Chris Ngige finally declared Peter Obi of the All peoples Grand Alliance (APGA) the winner of the 2003 governorship election 34 months after.

Kwara State: Undoubtedly Dr. Olushola Saraki is the undisputed political leader and godfather to so many politicians in the state. He also has to his credit the enthronement of four governors in the part, including the formal governor Lawal of the state.

But this time he double has the biological and political father to his son Bukola the governor of Kawara State, his daughter represent their constituency in the senate. Governor Bukola is a new entrant into politics, very close to his father politically which brings doubt to who truly is in charge of Kwara state government. It is believed that most steps taking in the early days of Bukola’s administration were with the approval of his father a second republic senator and popularly called “Oloye” [Tell, October 6,2003, pg 19].

The seventy-five traditional chiefs that were upgraded by former governor Lawal had their promotion cancelled by the new administration. Busari Alabi Alasa, Lawal’s father was also removed as Ngaji Aare of IIorin, done to please Aihaji Sulu Gambari Emir of IIorin whom the governors father is very close to. While Lawal argued that it was based on aged long agitation for the upgrading of the affected chiefs. This situation degenerated to the extent that there were clashes between supporters of formal governor Lawal and that of Bukola Saraki, is on their fracas the house of th formal governor Lawal’s father’s house was burnt, promoting political violence in an attempt to settle political differences, a threat to democracy

Edo State: In this state the situation of godfather in its political affairs seem a little different with three notable godfathers namely chief Tony Anenih, Chairman Board of Trustee of the peoples Democratic party (PDP), Dr. S.O Ogbemudia father of the chairman of Uhunmwonde Local Government Area as Edo South Leader of the party and Chief Sir. Gabriel Iginedion, father of the Edo State Governor Lucky Nosakhare and also is the father of Ovia North- East Local Government Area. The ugly head of godfatherism was first raised during the process of the party’s primary where the gubernatorial candidate selection saw a popular Alhaji Azeez Garuba losing to Lucky Igbinedion prior to the 1999 election in an undemocratic manner.

In 2003, on behalf of the trios, Chief Igbinedion’s Glory 2003 campaign at Sam Ogbemudia Stadium. That government house was not vacant, succinctly put that the performance of Lucky Igbinedion’s administration was nothing to write home about.

The governor was still loyal to his godfather (Mr Fix it )  until 2006, but when the issue of who becomes the PDP flag bearer for 2007 gubernatorial elections came up. The matter was serious to the extent that the party now has two secretariats, both at the state and local government levels with Chief Tony Anenih and Dr S.O Ogbemudia on one side and governor Lucky Igbinedion and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion on the other side.

With the older Igbinedionon his side and in bid to prove his political might, the governor relieved appointees loyal to Chief Anenih’s and his group from their positions. To reward for their loyalty, they were often compensated with federal appointment where chief Anenih is very powerful. rather than the state House of Assembly making laws they have had their own share of the tussle when Friday Itulah an Anenih loyalist was removed from office as speaker and replaced with David Iyoha an Igbinedion supporter. Friday Itulah has since replaced David Iyoha

SECTION FOUR

WOMEN POLITICIANS AND GODFATHERISM

There is no doubt that there are a lot of women in different political parties. Who are better and more qualified than some of their male counter parts, but are often limited by unfair and inequitable party machinery driven by male chauvinism and godfatherism, hence women participation in politics has been greatly hindered in this country.

Desperate political godfather do not find women as the right instruments to further the political and economic hold on government, subject to the manipulation of political sons, since the women unlike the men would not like to swear to oaths, with the problem of contending with double loyalty of the political godfather one side and their husbands on the other .

However, Edo south representative of the senate Mrs.Daisy Danjuma stirred the nest of the godfathers in 1003to get nomination in what may be described as godfathering the godfather or “power pass power” with the show of power and influence as wife to the then Minister of Defence, she was successfully nominated as the Edo-South senatorial candidate under the PDP and she represents EDO-South at national Assembly regardless of the many sentiment that would ordinary have worked against her. E.g. she is a woman, she is married to non Edo man, she did not join the race for the senate on time etc.

ROLE AND IMPLICATION OF GODFATHERISM

Corruption: political godfathers are very desperate people with a Machiavellian style, they have been able to subject their political sons i.e. governor or council chairmen to their directives. Hence there has been high level of official and financial corruption in government.

ALLOCATED REVENUE:  Revenues  allocated  to states and council’s are often mismanaged with unjustified and ridiculous amounts of contracts awarded to godfathers and other political associates under one disguise or another for fear of been removed from office. Some are paid monthly allowances from state purse for jobs not done, all to satisfy godfather at the detriment of the people.

POLITICAL P[ATRONAGE:  Regrettably in the face of dilapidation or non-sufficient existence of social infrastructures especially in states and local governments, public funds are used for political patronage. Public officers in this context will always be guaranteed their office as long as they receive the blessing of their godfathers, even when their performance as abysmal.

Threat to electoral process: Godfathers will do anything possible to put their political sons into offices, with their financial power and influence, interrupts electoral process in the country, stealing ballot boxes, and manipulate electoral result to the advantage of the political sons not expressing the choice of the people.

Indiscipline:  Their attitudes party indiscipline. Thus popular intra party decisions contrary to their interest are often truncated, thereby rendering party leadership in effective.

Mediocrity:    Due to the fraudulent ways with which they get into office. Mediocrity rather than merit is promoted; today there is the problem of bad governance consequent upon official and financial corruption and waste of public fund by politicians in Nigeria, rather than loyalty to the people. Political sons are loyal to their godfathers. As long as godfathers are still around our electoral processes would always be manipulated regardless of whatever scientific way of counting and reporting electoral results.

Victimization of the opposition:  Godfathers are member of the cities group in the Nigeria state. They use their godsons in public offices to victimize intimidate and oppress political opponents within and outside their political parties. This ugly development has resulted in several violent clashes of support of godfathers and their opponents, creating state of insecurity, threat to lives and property of innocent citizens.

Political Empire:  With the increase in disagreements between godfathers and their political sons, a new dimension has now been introduced to our polity. Godfathers are now imposing their biological children on the people as elected or appointed officials of government even though they are not the best qualified, all to build political empire for themselves that are void of the people interest.

Political instability: From antecedence, the godfathers are very lawless and unconstitutional in the manner with which they execute the plans. This is more evident in the effort to unseat their disloyal political sons; Uba (godfather) supervised the kidnap of Ngige the governor of Anambra State 2003, and in Oyo State, the unconstitutional removal of the governor from office this year 2006, this could lead to political instability.

Higher Authority Support: Undoubtedly, godfathers enjoy the support of higher authorities. E.g. presidency, and often find ready agents or instruments in the Nigeria police force, various State Judiciary and House of Assembly who are very ready to circumvent the due process for removing elected public officers like governors or council chairmen to suit their selfish interest in a country that has a constitution.

SECTION FIVE

CONCLUSION

Political godfatherism is a syndrome in our political process, which does not promote leadership on merit or based on popular demand. To satisfy their selfish desire they are even ready to as simile dons of mafia organization to manipulate elections for their political sons, if successfully the result is corruption, waste of public fund bad governance.

As long as they exist, good governance will continually elude the people, they are selfish, lawless, unconstitutional and politically irresponsible as to their mudus oprandi, subjugating public office holders like governors and council chairmen to their dictates.

The effort of government to encourage women participation in politics vis-à-vis promoting gender equality is limited by godfathers in our political process. Who do not find women as sufficient agent or instruments to achieve their political and economic interest, as they often will have to contend with the problem of double loyalty.

The role of political godfathers before and after elections does not promote the development of our political process but often brings us national disgrace. Suffix to say that they are a threat to political stability and democratic process and an albatross to our political process. Thus godfatherism in its entirety must be eliminated from our polity.

RECOMMENDATION

Political parties should promote party discipline with their rule and regulation strictly had heard to by members of the party.

No nation can progress when her laws are not applicable to all, where some persons see themselves as sacred cows and can get away with any crime they commit.

Godfathers operate like mafia hiding under politics to perpetrate criminal acts with their private army of thugs, disrupting electoral processes, killing, and prompting political instability. They should not be allowed to enjoy their freedom.

Party leadership should be against the domination of money bags politicians. The very rich members of political parties should have their activities closely monitored and investigated by relevant agencies of government i.e. States Security Service (SSS) AND THE ECONOMIC AND Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The external sources of funds for parties and candidates must be identified and the amount limited by law.

There should be emphasis that members of the police force and the judiciary should not be partisan to political disagreements between individuals and parties, with prescribed penalties strictly complied with.

1.      Performance measurement

2.      CCT & Best Value

3.      Freedom of information

4.      Financial card

5.      From hall meeting responsible representations

REFERENCES

1.      Arrange Governors In Trouble (Godfathers Declare War ) Tell, October 6, 2003

2.      I Am Ready For Uba, Tell, December 1, 2003

3.      Ladoja’s  Political Suicide, Tell, January 23, 2006

4.      Ngige To Uba Enough Is Enough, The Guardian, Saturday, January 1, 2005.

5.      The End For Ngige Political Implications For Anambra, Tell, November 22, 2004