Godfatherism : A major determinant in national development

Godfatherism : A Major Determinant In National Development

Godfatherism according to the Wikitionary is a form of political corruption in which an influential member of a party assists another person in his climb to leadership. Placing the two phrases in this definition side by side, they contradict each other. An influential member of a party assisting another person in his climb to leadership cannot be considered as political corruption if that is exclusively what happens. The words of William Gaddis readily come to mind, "Power doesn't corrupt people, people corrupt power." Godfatherism can therefore exist as a form of benevolence in which an influential member of a political party assists another person in his climb to leadership. The above renders the definition by the Wikitionary deficient. As such I will like to modify their definition and refer to godfatherism as a situation in politics where an influential member of a party assists another person in his climb to leadership. In order to achieve clarity, I will like to go a step further and divide godfatherism into two namely, benevolent/mentoral godfatherism and tyrannical / personal gain godfatherism.

It might surprise you to know that godfatherism in Nigeria began as early as the first republic. The type of godfatherism that was in play during that period was benevolent/mentoral godfatherism. During that period, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa controlled huge amount of power. They virtually determined who was going to take up a particular political post through their political parties. Dr Azikiwe's party controlled the eastern region, Awolowo's party controlled the western region and Balewa's party controlled the northern region. They, though having different philosophies, generally prioritize national development over personal gain. They served as mentors to young politicians. They offered selfless services to the nation in their different capacities. It therefore comes as no surprise that they have been immortalized as national heroes. Any time this kind of godfatherism is in vogue , the country experiences great development in economy and other sectors.

Sadly, tyrannical /personal gain godfatherism is the dominant type of godfatherism in the country today. Long gone are the days when men who had the resources, supported political candidates they felt had good intentions without asking for anything in return.Godfatherism in Nigeria has since left the ideals of selfless service which the forefathers established. Now it is now a case of 'if I scratch your back you scratch mine ' and 'nothing goes for nothing'. Personal gain is now being prioritized above everything else. Indeed in Nigerian politics, nothing that glitters is gold. We are now in an era where men with immense wealth throw their money behind candidates who have no good intentions for the country. Their only reason being that they feel their chosen candidate would perform the job of puppet better than the more qualified candidates.It therefore comes as no wonder that the state of the nation is getting worse by the day. That people who by qualification aren't supposed to even nurse a political ambition are now being elected into positions of power. Indeed in Nigeria, things have fallen apart and the center definitely cannot hold.

It is largely due to this, that godfatherism has come to be referred to soely as a form of political corruption. This has lead to many calling for the obliteration of godfatherism. Personally though, I think that the abolishing of godfatherism in the country will do more harm than good. Reason being that most of the people with good intentions for the country lacks the required funds. As it is now, it takes millions of naira to run for the primaries in a party. The people who will benefit from the abolishing of godfatherism is almost certainly going to be the sons and daughters of the same godfathers. They are obviously not going to find it hard to find the funds. This will only serve in propagating the ideals of the tyrannical godfathers for as we all know , the apple rarely falls far from the tree.

If abolishing godfatherism isn't going to cure the ills associated with it then what will? I propose countering evil with good. I think it is time we balance the see-saw and if possible even change the direction it is pointing towards. It is high time for the revival of benevolent godfatherism. The truth is that our country will keep on going downhill as long as good men with the resource refuse to take responsibility for the nation and become benevolent /mentoral godfathers. As long as our clergy men limit themselves to the altar alone. As long as young political aspirants only have these fishmongers to go to for financial assistance. As long as motivational speakers keep on rising instead of exemplary leaders. As long as we decide to sit on the fence when matters concerning the nation arise.

Anene Ebubechukwu Anthony 

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