Godfatherism Killing Our Democracy

Opinion

By Oluwagbenga Oyebanji

Opinion

The Babylonian empire was a rod in the hand of God to judge the children of Israel. God allowed the Israelites to be taken captives because  of their ignorance. My heart bleeds because of the show of shame of the politicians. The pre-independence political era was driven by moral conviction. Though it was never excellent, it was not this bad.

The era we are in is filled with bigotry, tribalism and nepotism. The politicians are acting like the Babylonian kings, they prefer election to the next generation, they are drunk with power and glamour, they prefer their kingdoms to the citizens. The political godfathers determine who becomes what in the party.  The ongoing convention by political parties is a testament that internal democracy is imprisoned. The democratic institution is not sustainable without internal democracy. The culture supports the politicians provided they spend money, regardless of where they get the money from, whether it is stolen or misappropriated. Impunity is worshipped provided you throw money around. The industry of godfatherism is the model everybody imitates, from the federal, state , local government to the corporate world everybody tries to impose his own loyalist not based on merit but dogma.

The only cankerworm in the Nigerian society is “godfatherism”. It is reason we lack internal democracy, it is the reason there is ‘brain drain’. You need to know someone before your creativity can be unlocked. The ex-military generals are like Nebuchadnezzer in PDP, the party leaders in APC are like Ahab in Israel though most of  them were NADECO members that fought against the military rule before the fledgling democracy we are experiencing. Most youths are disenfranchised from political process, they are disinterested because of thuggery and violence. Our politicians are like Belshazzar the King of Babylon, they are feasting when many youths do not have a clue about tomorrow.  Many have been brainwashed by the thinking of these Babylonian politicians. They have relegated meritocracy to the background.

The economy is moving but crawling. Instead of focusing on how to improve per capita income they sing the chorus of GDP. Politicians with fat salaries are waging economic wars against their supporters, making sure that many are in financial captivity. Enjoying fake popularity of messianic reputation, they are clouds without rain, their madness is about to end like Belshazzar. “Mene Mene Tekel  Upharsin.” ” Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.” ” Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.” “Peres:  Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” The kingdom of godfatherism is coming to an end, the time is coming when you do not need to know anybody in the corridors of power to get elected or get a job. Even if you do, it would based on merit. We have to frown at this culture, it is killing the future. Success is not based on what you have, it is based on what you can give.

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The  word “godfather” was popularized by an America Italian author Mario Puzzo published in 1969 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons. The book was a bestseller that later became a box office Hollywood movie. The book/movie details the lifestyle of a fictitious mafia family in New York City headed by Don Vito Corleone. The book/movie introduced Italian criminal terms like consiglierie, caporegime,  Costra Nostra, and omerta to book/ movie lovers.

The mafia philosophy is the tactics our politicians are using; doing things in secrecy, anointing a candidate that does not represent the wishes of party members. Our democratic experience is coloured with godfatherism. Democracy is still the best system of governance. According to Sir Winston Churchill, “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all others that have been tried.”

The beauty of democracy is that the majority rule while minority have a say. Its beauty is in the checks and balances it offers. The history of party politics started in England in the late 17th century. A political party most have a structure, a leader and management team  but that does not mean it should operate in mafia mode. Instead it should be based on ideology, principles, contribution and scholastic contribution. Violence, thuggery, and win at all costs mentality are fruits of godfatherism. It has its crust from mafia mode operations. American economy is leading today because of a strong democratic culture. Godfathersim  is the greatest problem facing our culture, and all the facet of our lives.  It discourages debates, it promotes mediocrity, it encourages corruption, breeds dogmatic ideology, creates  extreme political assumptions.

We need to create an environment that encourages new ideas, new ways of thinking and innovative acceptance. Could someone like Barack Obama win an election in Nigeria? Could someone like Nelson Mandela be produced in our political parties? How about creating a democratic experience in our academic and corporate institutions? Could Nigeria produce a Mark Zuckerberg? Could our system produce a Steve Jobs? A mafia-like environment is counter-productive to creative and innovative process, it inhibits development and growth.

The new Nigeria will usher in the merit era. This era will bring in merit in all spheres of our lives. The glory of Nigeria will be rebuilt. Darius the Medes, and Cyrus the Persian will bring an end to these Babylonian politicians. Everybody is afraid of bloodshed, but no blood will be shed. Our prestige will be rebuilt. These two leaders will usher in  political freedom and economic freedom, one will come from the north and the other one from the south. The two of them will usher in a ‘meritocratic’ Nigeria, it is just a matter of time this  will come to pass. Nigeria will be among the 20 largest economies. We are approaching this era, suddenly it will happen.

•Oyebanji, publisher/columnist writes from Lagos. Email: [email protected]. Twitter:[email protected]

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