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Godfatherism And Political Conflict In Nigeria: An Opinion Survey Of Voters
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However, during the second term of President Olusegun
Obasanjo, the phenomenon of godfatherism becomes more alarming and
dangerous to the survival of Nigeria’s fledging democracy. In Oyo State,
South-West Nigeria, Adebidu (godfather) and Ladoja (protégé) battle for
the soul of Oyo, has affected governance in the State and has reenacted
political violence which it was famous for. At the long run, Ladoja won
the State gubernatorial election, defeating the incumbent governor,
Alhaji Lam Adeshina of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was
eventually sworn in on 29th May, 2003. When Adedibu decided to nominate
80 percent of the new commissioners and special advisers, Ladoja decided
to act fast. He tricked Adedibu to go on a much – needed rest abroad
and he made sure the speaker Moroof Olawale Atilola – led House of
Assembly immediately approved his list of commissioners that was the end
of the pact between Adedibu and Ladoja. The animosity between Adedibu
and Ladoja was put into display during the electioneering campaign for
the March 27, 2004 Local Government Elections. Ladoja was left to his
devices until he was consumed through “impeachment†by the tiger he
mounted in 2003. (Celetine Okafor, The Ladoja Impeachment, January 14,
2006).
Another important episode that unfold was that of
Chris Uba (godfather) and Chris Ngige (protégé), of Anambra State. After
the Oath –taking at the Okija shrine by the godson, he refused to play
ball as arranged, looting, blood letting, gubernatorial abduction and
judicial ambushes has become common place activities in Anambra State.
Until the 16th March, 2006. The godson (Ngige) was finally removed from
office. (Essence Library Godfatherism in Nigeria politics, 2004, p.65).
This crisis was very much reflective of how it has always been in the
Nigerian polity as it concerns the political elites in the society. They
are high and mighty and have the ability to have their way given any
situation and almost every crisis that is observed is an after-effect of
the musceflexing amongst them and amongst themselves.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In the proceeding piece of introduction to this work, sufficient and
hear exhaustive description and highlights of the various points and
forms of manifestation political conflicts in Nigeria fourth republic,
was attempted. This was done alongside with the brief overview of the
concept “godfatherism†and “political conflicts†in any system, society
or political grouping while also considering the frequency of these
crisis situations in Nigeria as a nation. Haven looked at the forms of
manifestation of the concept. It is proper that we attempt to state the
problem(s) that created a sustaining environment for these crisis to
blew and thrive.
The first problem could be spotted from the
analysis of the above listed political conflicts saga, is that of
widespread corruption which has a partner in unpatriotism. Quite
consistently, Nigeria has been considered to be among the first five
most corruption, fueled by greed for the concept of patriotism, that has
resulted in the average Nigeria seeing governance and government as a
vehicle for exploitation and self-aggrandizement. So while the people
crave for a leadership of lift maintain mercantilism as their watchword
and do everything in the hope of monetary gains and kickback. Anambra,
Oyo, Enugu, Edo, etc. are still a classic example of this situation.
The second problem easily identifiable in the entire case scenario of
the Oyo, Anambra, Kwara, Edo, Borno, etc political conflicts is
“Elitismâ€. While the consideration of elitism as a problem would not be
universally accepted.
Another problem is one that could be
said to be an offshoot of the proceeding problem concept, political
godfatherism. Political godfatherism is a concept that although is
widely in practice in all parts of the world, have assumed disturbing
and worrying dimensions and proportions in the nation today. It has
become pertinent to have strong political godfathers before considering
running for any elective office and even political appointments.
Unfortunately, as it was in Anambra, Oyo, Edo, etc. most of these
godfathers offer the services of their support only in anticipation of
financial kickbacks that are alarmingly huge and extravagant and opposed
to the expected norm of service to the people.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Godfatherism has become an attribute in modern day Nigerian politics which could either foster democratic stability or retard democratic progress. This study hopes to bring to a clearer understanding, the nature and prevailing characteristics of godfather/godson relationship, the dimension it has assumed in recent times and how it has shaped and influenced the adult citizenry in the country. In order to achieve this objective, secondary data was applied to get a concr ... Continue reading---
