Democracy and Godfatherism; My take: by Prince Ologbenla Adedoyin

What is a democracy ?

 At the most basic level, it is a type of government or political system ruled by citizens, people
who are members of a society. In a democracy, citizens hold some level of power and authority, and they participate actively in the political, or decision-making, process of their government.

In general, it is defined as Government of the people,by the people and for the people


Democracy could be better as compared to the
Military Era before the fourth republic but, it has been
characterized with Godfatherism, politicking of core
government policies and programmes vis-à-vis
interest of the masses. Furthermore, the current
democratic system has been threatened with policy
somersault, policy reversal, human right abuse,
economic bondage and monumental corruption. It is
against this backdrop that the research is being
carried out with the intent of proffering solutions to
the democratic challenges witnessed.


Types of Democracy

Following are two types of democracy

1. Direct Democracy
Under this system the people take direct in the affairs of the state. The people themselves are the rulers and they are the ruled at the same time. They themselves
make the laws, enforce them and decide cases
according to these laws. Such a democracy existed in
City States of ancient Greece and Rome. Some
practices of direct democracy are still observed in Switzerland and in some states of the USA.

2. Indirect or Representative Democracy
After the creation of large nation states, it became
impossible for all the people directly to participate in
the affairs of the state. Under this form of government the people elect a small number of representatives or
delegation and give them the authority to run the
government. Since the people rule through these
representatives, we give the system the name of
indirect or representative democracy. Today in almost
all the countries of the world there is *indirect or representative democracy*

*Advantages of Democracy*

1. It protects the interest of citizens.
As previously stated, the citizens in a democratic country are
given the right to vote on political, social and economical
issues, particularly the representatives they want to be in
charge of making major decisions, such as the president. This
can greatly protect the people from anything they would
disagree to occur.
2. It prevents monopoly of authority.
Due to the fact that the government is bound by an election
term where parties compete to regain authority, democracy
prevents monopoly of the ruling authority. And, the elected
ruling party would make sure their policies will work for the
people, as they will not be able to remain in power after their
term with bad records—they will not be re-elected.
3. It promotes equality.
Generally, democracy is based on the rule of equality, which
means that all people are equal as far as the law is concerned.
Every person has the right to experience and enjoy equal
political, social and economic rights, and the state is not
allowed to discriminate him on the standard of sex, class,
religion and property.
4. It makes for a responsible and stable administration.
When there are elected and fixed representatives, a more
responsible government is formed. Thus, democracy can be
efficient, firm and stable. Its administration is ruled and
conducted with a sense of dedication, and people under this
system discuss matters and problems thoroughly to come up
with sensible decisions.
5. It brings a feeling of obligation towards the citizens.
The ruling authorities owe their success to elections by the
citizens, so they would feel grateful to and socially responsible
for them. This can serve as their motivating factor to work for
the citizens, for they have the right of choosing their
government.
6. It imparts political education to the people.
One argument in favor of democracy is that it can serve as a
training school for citizens—they are driven to take part in
state affairs. During elections, political parties propose their
programs and policies in support of their candidates through
public meetings, demonstrations, television, radio, posters
and speeches by their leaders to win public favor. All of these
can impart political consciousness among the people.
7. It helps make good citizens.
Democracy aims to create the ideal environment that is
conducive to personality improvement, character cultivation
and good habits. As per the experts, this political system
seems to function as the first school for good citizenship,
where individuals can learn about their rights and duties from
birth to the time of death.
8. It allows a little chance of revolution.
Since this system is based upon public will, there will be little
to no chance of public revolt. Elected representatives conduct
state affairs with public support, and if they do not work
efficiently or do not meet the public’s expectations, they will
probably not do well during the next elections. Democracy or
other popular governments often function with consensus, thus
the question of revolution would not arise.
9. It promotes change.
This political system can promote changes in the government
without having to resort to any form of violence. It tries to
make citizens feel great and even provides them with a good
sense of participation and involvement.


*Disadvantages of Democracy*

1. It might allow misuse of public funds and time.
Democratic governments can lead to wasted time and
resources, considering that it takes a huge amount of time on formulating laws and requires a lot of money to be spent during elections. It is also highly possible that the country will be ruled by incompetent and irresponsible leaders who will just spend public funds for their own tours and recreation.

2. It instigates corruption.
Those who are elected to power might resort to unethical means for personal interests and engage in corrupt practices. During their tenure in office, they might take advantage of authority for personal gains, putting the interests of the masses at the backseat.

3. It risks the wrong choice of public servants.
Truth be told, not all individuals under a democratic government are aware of the political and social circumstances in their country. In a voting system, majority wins, and there is no distinction between the votes cast by the
literate and the illiterate. People may favor a candidate based
on other factors other than pure and required capability.
Taking these things into consideration, the elected official may not always be the perfect person for the seat, leading to erroneous decisions.

4. It allows not exercising the right to vote.
Sadly, in some democratic countries, people fail to exercise their right to vote. Perhaps, they are reluctant to do it or are just less aware about the impact of their votes. Or, perhaps they do not see it as a privilege and take the process less
seriously.

5. It may put more emphasis on quantity, rather than quality.
Another disadvantage of democracy is in terms of providing services,it tends to put more emphasis on quantity, rather than quality. Also, considering that the system might be governed by irresponsible and incompetent leaders, equality might be in question for only the rich and famous might be prioritized more than the poor.

6. It can take long to make decisions.
Because it takes long to make decisions, it will also take long to implement them. Unlike in a monarchy where one person is making decisions that are implemented quickly, democracy requires majority voting in implementation, thus it is relatively
less prompt in taking actions.

7. It may involve immoral practices during elections.
To lure the masses, election campaigns might involve immoral practices, where candidates would use muscle power to draw
the majority of votes, even trying to tarnish their opponents’
reputation. Money and power may be abused to influence the people to disregard opposing parties.


*Godfatherism*
 is a symbiotic relationship between two
persons namely; the godfather and the godson, where the godfather uses his political power and wealth to secure
political position for the godson, who upon ascension into
power, pays gratification to his mentor in kind or in cash. In the first republic, godfatherism produced notable figures in
the likes of Zik, Awolowo.... Godfatherism has become a
norm in Nigeria's political environment, where without a godfather, an individual cannot secure a political position. In the fourth republic, it has assumed a ludricrous dimension in the Nigeria's polity. Do we talk of Nwobodo and Nnamani's saga or Ngige and Uba's crisis amongst others. The masses have become the victims of the combustible conflict between the duo. Where does this leave our youths who are employed as agents to carry out their evil biddings? What is
the future of aspiring politicians with vision, who have the peoples interest at heart?


*CAUSES OF POLITICAL GODFATHERISM*

The causes of political godfatherism have to be traced from
the fact that any upstart needs the help of a guardian figure from whom he will get a better direction towards life or the events of life. Politics is one of these events of life. I mean
there are some who cannot attain the political office or
government position they are gunning for because of their being weak financially or have insufficient political charisma.
We must have to know that being financially balanced and having sufficient political charisma, help in facilitating victory in election. Therefore, where they are lacking, one resorts to get help from a sponsor whom we can call godfather.
Thus, we consider the causes of godfatherism from these
four factors.
👉🏻i. Poverty
👉🏻ii. Systemic Disorder
👉🏻iii. Ignorance
👉🏻iv. Corruption

*POVERTY*
The incidence of poverty has a strong influence on the emergence of those who regard themselves as godfathers and owners of government. In this country Nigeria, greater percentage of our people are poor and as such could not meet up with their basic needs so the godfather now sees himself as a messiah who has come to alleviate the poverty
of the poor. In this case, he installs through his material
endowments the government official/officials singlehandedly.

Considering poverty as one of the causes of political
godfatherism in Nigeria, we have to view the effects of
poverty as it affects the electoral behavior of the citizens on
two main dimensions.
 👉🏻The psychological effects and
👉🏻physical effects.
Psychologically, it is rooted in their lack of awareness of
what happens in polity that gave birth to reservative
relationship of some of Nigerians with the government or an
act of politicking. So, the people no longer regard the
government as an institution for them but as that of some
selected elites. Therefore, the godfather emerges to give or install for them their leaders. Although, he never made his intentions known to the people.
Physically, the people feel the effects of poverty because they are shortfall of access or resources of adequate livelihood. As a result of this, they cannot be active in making and sustaining the government. Even some who aspire for government jobs may not be all that financially endowed as to meet up with the demand it requires. So, the
godfather now comes up to be a sponsor. As a sponsor, he supports both financially and influentially.

*SYSTEMIC DISORDER*

The widespread of this factor has kept the people without a recognized system of a modern society. This can take the form of absence of national discipline which should rely upon solid civic education and a responsible civic citizenry. The
consequence of this will be lack of awareness, as we have noticed in our treatment of poverty above. This lack of awareness will create a sort of gap in the formation of the
state.
This gap actually will create its own low points in the
citizens that will not be favorable to the state. Then, there will be chaos and anarchy among the citizens, which will make the elites to come in to be alternatives to the state.
They will now provide what seemed to be a better
environment for the people, hence, the emergency of the
godfathers or sole proprietors of access to state fortune.

*IGNORANCE*
This is akin to our treatment of psychological poverty as we have seen above. Here people would not know their rights according to their guiding constitution, and so cannot fight the excesses of the government and certain individuals constitutionarily.
There would have been a better society if the citizens were informed and aware of the on-goings as to ask question about what they are not comfortable with. Thus, Francis Becon said that "knowledge is power". So the godfathers
emerge to get the people have a proper contact with their government. They can even go to the extent of installing the government leaders for them. In addition, become the owners of the government


*Effect of Godfatherism*

1. Snatching of the right of other citizens :-
Political post is not like a royal or kinship tittle inwhich oneor two families have right to throne or cheif tittle. Every citizens of this country have right to contest for post of his choice but godfather had snatched this right for their family
alone. take for instance Dr Abubarka Olusola Saraki that big politician and the father of Abubarka Olusola Saraki. We all know is the countroler of kwara politice during his live time he determine who will be who. He put Adamuata, Sahaba
lafigi, Muhammed Lawal on the seat of Governor but when they wanted to prove their right they have dispute which later led to him instal his biological son of the seat. Today Kwara
is just like a company to the family of Baba Saraki, all they need is manager who can not goes beyond Director rules.

 2)
Go to any state that was rule by godfather and tell me if there is any development in that state. Go to kwara State if there is anything to show up being one of the first twelve state created still no development. How can there be any
development when the manager says this way and Director says that way. When the (godfather) the man under shade have certain percentage to be collected in the state allocation won't the man who know he may not have another oppotunity after that take his own share from allocation instead of spending money on one project?

3  Protection of power- Remember i said power, popularity
,financial capability and influence, are their tools use tocontrol and installed people of their choice in power .So,they make sure nobody withine their state get those thing so
that they cannot challange their authority.





*Solution to Godfatherism*

We should all Say ‘no more’ to the godfathers and
their godsons. Leadership must be allowed to evolve
from the grass roots rather than having mediocres
thrust on the people.
Enough is enough.





My name remains

Leo (Prince)  Ologbenla Adedoyin Niyodoloo