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
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
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
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
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 23rd, 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
“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 6th 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
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 6th, 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 1st , 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
But this time he double has the biological and political father to his son Bukola the governor of Kawara State
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
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
Victimization of the opposition: Godfathers are member of the cities group in the Nigeria
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
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
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