Why we must finally kill the ghost of godfatherism in our politics.
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If there is one thing that has consistently held back the progress of our democracy in Nigeria, it is the shadow of the political godfather. For decades, we have watched as powerful individuals attempt to dictate who leads and how they lead, often treating entire states as their personal estates.
This issue has come to the forefront once again following the bold statements made by a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Garus Gololo. As an editor who has watched the “wahala” of Nigerian elections unfold year after year, I find his intervention to be both timely and necessary.
He is calling for an end to a system where a few people sit in a room and decide the fate of millions. This conversation is not just about one party or one state; it is about the soul of our nation and the right of every Nigerian to have their vote truly count.
The heavy burden of political godfathers on our democracy
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The concept of godfatherism in Nigerian politics has become a heavy weight that prevents fresh ideas and genuine leaders from emerging. Dr Gololo pointed out that this practice is one of the main reasons why we see so much underdevelopment at the state level. When a leader is handpicked by a godfather, their loyalty is often split between the person who put them in power and the citizens they are supposed to serve.
More often than not, the godfather wins. This leads to a situation where state resources are diverted to settle political debts rather than fixing our roads, hospitals, and schools. It is a cycle of patronage that keeps the country in a chokehold, making it difficult for anyone without a powerful backer to even dream of holding office.
Dr Garus Gololo speaks out on the Edo political drama
The APC chieftain specifically pointed to the recent political developments in Edo State as a perfect example of why this system needs to go. He reflected on the friction that often arises when a “godson” decides to find his own feet and stop taking orders from his benefactor.
In the case of the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki and the transition of power in the state, the drama was plain for everyone to see. Dr Gololo noted that when these two forces clash, it is the ordinary people who suffer the most. The governance of the state is often grounded while the leaders fight for control. His message to the APC and other parties is very clear: allow the people to choose who they want in a free and fair manner without any external pressure.
The bitter rivalry between godfathers and their handpicked godsons
We have seen this story play out many times in different states across Nigeria. A godfather picks a successor, thinking they will be a loyal “yes man,” but as soon as the new person tastes power, the “wahala” begins. This bitter rivalry has become a permanent feature of our political landscape. Dr Gololo warned that this trend is dangerous for the internal democracy of any political party.
Instead of focusing on manifestos and service delivery, politicians spend their time plotting how to outsmart their former mentors or suppress their rebellious mentees. If we truly want to grow as a nation, we must move away from this “follow follow” mentality and embrace a system where merit and the popular will of the voters are the only things that matter.
Building a future where the choice of the people actually matters
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The real “koko” of the matter is that democracy cannot thrive in the dark. We need to build a future where the primary elections of our political parties are transparent and where the influence of money and godfathers is minimized.
Dr Gololo’s call for an end to godfatherism is a call for a more inclusive Nigeria where a common man with a vision can lead his people. It is time for our political leaders to realize that the era of imposing candidates is fast fading away as Nigerians become more aware of their rights.
As we move towards future elections, the goal should be to strengthen our institutions so that the voice of the people is louder than the voice of any single individual, no matter how powerful they think they are.
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