A federal commissioner at the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mr Henry Idahagbon, has called for an end to godfatherism in Nigerian politics, describing the practice as a negative local creation that undermines democracy.
Idahagbon, who represents Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states on the commission, made the remarks during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday.
According to him, “I believe that the concept of godfatherism is a uniquely Nigerian invention. Maybe it’s one of Nigeria’s negative contributions to the development of democracy.”
He noted that although influential political figures exist in many democracies across the world, Nigeria’s experience stands out in a troubling way.
Idahagbon said, “But there is nothing that can be compared with the Nigerian concept of godfatherism. That is why I said it’s a unique Nigerian creation, a Nigerian invention.”
He cited Edo and Rivers states as clear examples of how godfatherism has caused political instability. “In Rivers and Edo, we have seen and are still seeing the negative impact of godfatherism. Those two states represent perhaps the worst species of godfatherism in Nigeria,” he said.
Recalling events during the political crisis between former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, Idahagbon said the situation became hostile.
He stated, “At the peak of the Obaseki and Oshiomhole imbroglio, we saw Obaseki practically declaring Oshiomhole a persona non grata in a state that he governed for eight years.
“I remember we had to arrange for private security to escort Oshiomhole from the airport just to get to his house.
“On many occasions, his cars were stoned, but for the fact that they were bulletproof, he would have been injured. And I happened to be the only person who was in his house the day thugs came to attempt to burn down his house.”
He added that a similar pattern is unfolding in Rivers State. “And the same thing is playing out again in Rivers State. We have the Minister of the FCT, who keeps breathing down the neck of Governor Siminalayi Fubara because he brought him to power,” he said.
Idahagbon stressed that Nigeria’s political elite must take deliberate steps to end the practice. “So it’s something that the Nigerian political class has to consciously dismantle,” he said.
The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Edo State during Oshiomhole’s administration also urged former leaders to disengage from political control after leaving office.
He said, “When governors and presidents leave office, they should leave for good. They should not be engaged in the process of determining their successors.”
Explaining why outgoing leaders often attempt to influence succession, Idahagbon said, “In my opinion, political actors want to determine who succeeds them because of two factors. They want protection when they leave office.”
He argued that strong performance in office removes the need for such interference. “So if governors do well, like I believe Gov. Alex Otti of Abia is doing in his state now, you don’t need to determine who succeeds you. Anybody can succeed you if your records are clean,” he said.
Calling for electoral integrity, he added, “So we should consciously, like Oshiomhole during his campaign and tenure said, say no to godfatherism and embrace one man, one vote; one governor, one vote.”
Idahagbon concluded by urging Nigerians to adopt the principle nationwide. “I think that mantra should become a national mantra — one man, one vote — and let us say no to godfatherism because it has negative implications for our polity,” he added.
