Challenge of godfatherism and election of credible leaders

By Paulina Imabe Alabi

There are so many challenges surrounding all electoral systems in the world but some are very glaring due to the devastating effects in governance.
Some of these challenges include, ethnic chauvinism, religious bigotry, nepotism and the issue of anointed candidates by the political stalwarts or the big wigs in the political cycles popularly referred to in the country as godfathers, so to speak.

So many Nigerians have harped on the negative effects of godfatherism in the development of the democratic processes even as it continues to play decisive roles in the polity.

The word godfather conjures different meanings to different people.
In many parts of Europe and America, it is simply a term used for cuddly uncle, denoting endearment and close affinity.
In some of Churches doctrines especially, during baptism and marriages people play such roles of ensuring Godly standard in the relationships.

In the religious circle godfathers are usually chosen from among the larger Congregation and need not be a relative to the person.

In France, the French godfathers can be broken down into two types: first, those who manipulate the economy for their own benefit and the second; those who can be referred to as crisis fixers,social reformers and advocate of the Poor.

Nigeria has all the above types of godfathers especially those who serve others, those who expect the society to serve them among others. Godfatherism sometimes manifests itself in politics globally.

Political godfathers consist of rich men whose contributions to campaign funds of some candidates helped the candidates to win elections. They invest heavily most especially in the media to positively project the image of their candidates while at the same time helping to discredit rival candidates.

A very good example is the case of Carlos Slim, a low profile business man whose financial support helped Vincent Fox break the Institutional Revolution Party’s Seventy -one- year grip on power in 2000 presidential election in Mexico.
Godfatherism is the bane of Nigerian Politics.

Dr Ibrahim Jibrin in an interview with BBC on November 10 ,2003,defined godfathers as “men who have the Power to personally determine who gets nominated and who wins in a state.
Obviously such development will definitely hinder the process of achieving free and fair election in any electoral system.

To check this and enhance the development of the nation’s political system for rapid growth, some schools of thought believe that independent candidacy, to an extent will no doubt reduce to the barest minimum the negative effects of godfathers. This according to them will build a healthy political climate and deepen the nation’s nascent democracy.

It is on this note, the efforts of the Senate in March this year in the passage of bill which seeks to allow independent candidates to contest for elective positions need to be commended.

New as it may be, with time, Nigerians, will begin to embrace it as obtainable in other climes to nip in the bud the undue influences which beclouded the nation’s electoral processes due to influences of godfathers.

The idea of Independence candidates and other electoral reforms will no doubt usher in selfless politics devoid of selfishness, apathy, greed and rancour.

Them do us” ? “Africa them do us?” No body did anything to us .
Nothing Good comes easy. There has to be a deliberate awakening, a sheer determination of cultural re-orientation and a high sense of patriotism. A selfless love for one’s own nation bound by a sense of duty to deliver the mandate of our democracy without fear or favour..

Unless our politics is devoid of selfishness, apathy, greed and rancour, godfatherism will continue to dictate the pace of succession and leadership in Nigeria.

To this end,there is need for all Nigerians to support political ideas that will enthrone leaders with great potential who will selflessly raise the anthem and banner of integrity, courage for the welfare of the people ,a Nigeria devoid of greed and corruption.

Paulina Imabe Alabi is of the
News and Current Affairs Department Abuja Operations.
Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.