Godfatherism and Democratic Reconstruction in Nigeria: A Review of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Abstract

Much of the contemporary discourse on Nigeria's democracy and politics from 1999 till date has at its centre, the phenomenon of  'godfatherism' in the leadership of political parties, and in running the affairs of our multi-nation-state. As a result of the corruption of the electoral and political processes, governmental structures, electoral politics and state power are skewed towards satisfying the self- regarding interests of the dominant political mentors otherwise known as 'political godfathers'. Relying on their wealth and their political machines, they secure party nomination for candidates of their choice by any means, sponsor their election, including manipulating the  electoral process. This paper is intended to examine critically the crisis of political godfatherism in Nigeria and its implications for the  future of the nation's democracy. It suggests ways the gods of Nigerian democracy and politics can be checked and confronted if the  country is to deepen democracy and strengthen democratic institutions.