God-fatherism, a thorn in Nigeria’s political set-up
By Moses Adeniyi
In the assessment of Nigeria’s political character, one subject of note which forms a part of the quality known with politics in Nigeria has been god-fatherism. The phenomenon has grown in bounds and has become associated with the crafting of politics in the Country. The pervasive character is such that political actors having attained unto the seat of power do not want to leave the scene.
Hence, though constitutional limitations of fixed terms to occupy offices do specify in clear terms the set limit, yet occupants of key offices still want to hold grip to power. Satisfying the undying quest has resulted into the system of god-fatherism where politicians do not want to leave the stage, but still want to control indirectly behind the scene, dictating what should be to the incumbent occupants of offices in question.
The phenomenon has become entrenched in the Nigerian political space. While the practice cuts across spheres of influences in layers of political authority in the Country, from the Federal, State to the Local Governments, the outplay of god-fatherism speaks loudly in tough terms on key positions. The fight to influence the powers of the Federal, State or Local Governments have been complex in the Country. Political gladiators are known to pay huge costs to retain their influence on the grip of power. Some political juggernauts in the Country are known to have over time pay heavily to spread the wings of their tentacles, such that the decision process in some States do not see light except by their endorsement. .
The practice to sustain this influence has been such that occupant of a political office would seek to endorse and fight to see that a political protege loyal to him succeeds him, even if it means imposing him against popular will. In States across the Federation, this has continually played out loudly. Over time the practice of Governors of States seeking to always impose an anointed candidate to succeed them speaks loudly. This more or less appears as a fight to wade off all apparent opposition. The idea has been anchored on the calculation that he who they have perceived loyal to them and could be easily controlled would be a preferred choice such that even after leaving office, they would still be the force behind the stage manipulating power by exerting their control of influence on their successors. Many times, such successors are known to also pledge oath of allegiance to be loyal to orders.
The expression of this power play has kept a pervasive manifestation within the Nigerian political set up. For instance, the recent scuffle between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his deputy, Philip Shaibu has posed deep political intrigues. The tussle between the duo has not been unconnected with the interest of Shaibu to succeed his principal against the wish of the latter who is observed to have a choice candidate to succeed him. The outplay has posed dirty sides with speculations of impeachment proceedings against Shaibu. There were reports of his security details being withdrawn and instances of the gate to the Government House being shot against him. Most interesting recently was another dimension as only N345 million was allocated to the Office of the Deputy Governor in the 2024 Budget of the State, against the N19 billion allocated to the Office of the State Governor.
Shaibu very recently declared his intention to contest the 2024 gubernatorial seat against all odds, even if it may mean fighting the structure of his principal. The blow of power against him was such that led to him tendering apologies to his principal.
Another outplay reflecting the phenomenon loudly finds reflection in the recent political tussles in Rivers State. Immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is known to have built a very strong bulwark around his political influence in Rivers. Wike as Governor extended his political influence with strong tentacles of loyalists within the political space, which he described as a structure.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara who succeeded Wike would have much to contend with to maintain a foodhold of discretion in his capacity to function as Governor. Speculations of impeachment against him by lawmakers of the State House of Assembly who have been observed to be loyal to Wike have been noised. Wike who is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but said to have worked for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last 2023 presidential election has been compensated with an appointment by the ruling APC government. His grip on political power in the State is said to be very strong with Wike mentioning anyone who seeks to collapse the structure would suffer for it.
Recently, lawmakers summing 27 of the 32 men State House of Assembly decamped to the APC which is now favouring their political father. While peace meetings have continued with President Bola Tinubu intervening into the matter, the tussle no doubt has destabilised the political setting of the State with huge cost against governance. The State House of Assembly is currently in shambles, while court proceedings are taking a toll. Both execution and lawmaking processes have largely been crumbled. This is not without disruption to judicial processes.
The outplay speaks to the reflection of the negativity of god-fatherism in the Country. At the Federal level, it is known how the inclination of god-fatherism generated intrigues during the contest of power for the presidential seat at the heels of the 2023 election. Immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari had decided to keep the identity of his preferred candidate to succeed him. Although he kept it unannounced, yet his demeanour gave reflections to a specific direction which generated controversies and speculations.
God-fatherism has posed different sides in the play of power in the Country. It has affected the political setting with deep concerns. The results of tussles that come from the play of power that surround it are known to be disruptive to the system of good governance. Very often, successors have mostly found it inconvenient to remain being given the drum beat from behind. Many times, they do find ways to break off the tie. God-fathers majorly on their part consider this a betrayal, and oftentimes the process leads to tussles that create disturbances for governance. There have been cases where successors in the case of breaking off the tie would have to do so going head-long with the political structures that are rocky and rigid. The process has been known to pose disruption to governance against the interest of the masses. For instance, in the tussle of Governor Obaseki of Edo trying to break off from the political influence of his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, the tussle only saw the governor’s attention shifting almost entirely to fight the battle, particularly when it appeared he risked losing returning as a governor for second term.
God-fatherism has posed different sides with dynamics of power tussle, but in all the faces observable, it has mostly greeted political setting with disturbances when interest clashes, leaving democracy and good governance in the Country at risk.
