RECOMMENDED: Godfatherism the Ododo-Bello Way!!
By Nafisat Bello
The word Godfather brings back memories of a popular movie, The Last Don, which was based on a novel written by Mario Puzo. The film reveals the display of naked power in a highly competitive, criminal world, which best illustrates the manifestation of godfatherism in contemporary Nigerian politics.
Godfatherism is not new to the Nigerian polity. It started as early as Nigeria started smelling independence in the 1940s and 1950s. Nigeria’s freedom fighters and nationalists were actually the first set of godfathers the country witnessed – the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. The difference with today’s godfathers was that Awolowo and co were more selfless and patriotic and are nowhere as greedy as the latter-day godfathers.
The early godfathers were respected, worshipped, lionised and idolised. But their brand of godfatherism added value and experience to governance and their achievements remain reference points for countless generations.
A true godfather is meant to provide direction, mobilise support, and offer constructive advice based on his own experience in public service, without imposing his preference on the godson. Money should not necessarily be the driving force. Although, there might be other benefits enjoyed by the godfather, but the godson should be free to operate since he would be responsible for his action(s) or inaction(s).
With military intervention in our politics which destroyed the basic fabric of nation building, the godfathers of the second republic were more self-serving. But things were not too bad as we still had the likes of Awolowo, Zik, Bola Ige, Ambrose Ali, Aminu Kano, Ibrahim Waziri, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Adisa Akinloye and other principled and disciplined politicians were still around as either godfathers or godsons.
Things got terribly bad between the third and fourth republic as President Olusegun Obasanjo assumed the status a civilian dictator and ruthless power broker, and also empowered people like Chris Uba of Anambra state. The rest is now history.
The violent confrontation between Uba and governor of Anambra state, Chris Ngige, when the former attempted to control the latter in terms of the state resources, critical decisions and appointments, was the turning point to this era of godfatherism. Ngige’s resistance led to his abduction and an attempt to force him to resign as his oppressor seemingly had the backing of President Obasanjo. This singular act brought to the fore a new dimension to the practice of godfatherism in Nigeria.
From the Obasanjo era till today, governors have learnt to choose the weakest among their protégés to support as successors. Not long after these godsons get into office, their first self-imposed assignment is always to undo their godfathers and decimate his structure. This is despite the often erroneous belief that anointed successors are weak and incapable of seeking to outshine the master.
Below are some of the godfather— godson face-offs we have witnessed since 1999
Lagos: Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a leading third republic Senator who led the pro-democracy struggle, became the first fourth republic Governor of Lagos state in 1999. He helped install successors like Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He had problems and a couple of confrontations with all three of them. He almost withdrew support for Fashola’s second term ambition in 2011. He made sure Ambode was a one-term governor. He snubbed Sanwo-Olu in a recent working visit to Lagos over his alleged role in the impeachment of the Speaker, Mudasiru Obasa. It took the efforts of the Governors’ Advisory Council (GAC) to rescue the relationship from deteriorating further.
Oyo: The late Strongman of Ibadan Politics, Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, was the enfant terrible of Oyo politics in his heydays. He was so bold that he declared himself the problem of Oyo state. He told President Olusegun Obasanjo in a truce meeting that he was proud to be the problem and the reason a whole President will be flying into Ibadan every now and then to resolve political crises and that was the legacy he wanted for himself! From Lam Adesina to Rasheed Ladoja and to Adebayo Alao-Akala, Adedibu single-handedly installed governors using his thuggery-based politics and removed them at will through illegal means. He once instigated the illegal impeachment of Ladoja using 5 lawmakers and installed Alao-Akala. He had among other ridiculous statements complained openly that some of the governors he installed refused to give him part of the security votes they were pocketing, and that means there won’t be peace since he is the one who determines whether there will be security or not in the state.
Enugu: The ‘Ebeano’ governor of Enugu state, Chimaroke Nnamani served for 8 years and installed his favourite loyalist, Sullivan Chime, as successor. When their relationship turned sour, the latter practically banned the former from entering the state.
Abia: Governor Orji Uzor Kalu served for 8 years and installed his closest loyalist and Chief of Staff, Theodore Orji, as successor. Orji was not even able to campaign or vote for himself during the election. He was locked up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial improprieties. He returned from prison and was sworn-in as Governor based on what Orji Kalu did in his absence. Not long after he became governor that the relationship went sour and beyond repair.
Kano: Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje are political titans who have been together for as long as anyone can remember. When Kwankwaso was governor for two non-consecutive terms, Ganduje was his deputy. When he was Minister of Defence, Ganduje was his top aide. Not long after he supported him to be governor in 2015 that the two friends fell apart and have remained so up till today. It has been so bad that even when it is expedient for them to be in the same political party, they manage to avoid each other.
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Rivers: The battle between Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, and his successor as Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was epic. It caused the destruction of state institutions, the hosting of local government election twice and the sacking of the governor by President Tinubu.
Anambra: Former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, chose and campaigned for his successor, Willie Obiano. But when Obiano got into office, he told the world how corrupt and fraudulent his predecessor was, and the duo fell apart. Obi tried to be a godfather once again by bringing someone else to challenge Obiano’s second term ambition. He failed and Obiano won.
Kaduna: Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state was controversial and combustible, but he chose a more tolerant and amiable Senator Uba Sani as successor. Governor Sani and the State House of Assembly even instituted a probe into El Rufai’s administration. Recently, the former governor accused the incumbent of launching an attack against a meeting of the ADC coalition on the basis of which the police have now summoned him. He also accused the state government of paying bandits and encouraging banditry. The state government issued a statement to warn him to desist from causing chaos in the state.
Edo: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State had Godwin Obaseki as one of his most trusted advisers for eight years. He broke all the rules in the book to install him as successor only for them to fall apart not long after that. Oshimhole tried to replace him with Ize-Iyamu who he and repeatedly condemned in the past but Obaseki managed to win second term in office. Oshiomhole finally had his revenge in the 2024 election when his candidate, Monday Okpebolo, defeated Obaseki’s choice of successor, Asue Ighodalo, in the election.
Kwara: The Sarakis dominated Kwara politics for decades. After helping several people to become governors and feeling serially betrayed, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, eventually chose his son, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to become governor in 2003. But when it was time for the younger Saraki to exit power in 2011, the older one wanted his sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, to succeed her brother but the governor resisted and defied his father. Eventually, the older Saraki had to move to another party with his daughter who lost the election to the governor’s anointed candidate, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who had served as Commissioner for Finance.
The Ododo-Bello Way
After Yahaya Bello’s turbulent tenure as Governor of Kogi state, during which he did his best to unite the state along religious and tribal lines, did some amazing infrastructure across health and education sectors, he chose Ahmed Usman Ododo and campaigned for him to succeed him. Many had thought that the relationship between the duo will go the normal Nigerian way and they will start fighting soon. But the two gentlemen have broken the rules and the people of the state are better for it.
From the day of his swearing-in on January 27, 2024, Governor Ododo hit the ground running, expanding the key pillars of development: civil service reform, infrastructure growth, health sector revitalisation, education improvement, and enhanced security.
Ododo’s administration has tackled infrastructure with gusto, enhancing connectivity and quality of life across the state. Contracts for eight township roads were awarded early enough in key areas like Okene, Egbe, Idah, and Mopa, spanning all three senatorial districts. The ambitious 106.3-kilometer rural road rehabilitation under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project also promises to ignite economic growth in rural communities.
Healthcare, too, has seen a boost, with the revitalised Central Cold Chain Store and a N7 billion investment in 88 primary healthcare centers across the state.
Moreover, Ododo’s unwavering commitment to welfare has won the hearts of Kogi’s workforce. His administration has ensured prompt salary payments, implemented a N72,500 minimum wage, and even disbursed leave bonuses to all staff categories, a move that has sparked widespread praise as local government workers laud the governor. The prompt payment of salaries and bonuses has made a huge difference in the life of people, who now feel valued and appreciated by the government.
Governor Ododo has reduced the state debt burden despite improving human capital development, and spearheading urban renewal and job creation across the state.
Having served as Auditor-General for Local Government under the Yahaya Bello administration, Ododo brought to office a deep familiarity with the intricacies of governance and a firsthand understanding of what is meant to entrench accountability and fiscal order, especially at the grassroots, the tier of government closest to the people.
Ododo has been able to achieve all these based on the support he has gotten from his predecessor, the fact that he doesn’t face any distraction or rivalry from his predecessor. We can’t say the same of Governor Sani who keeps facing all manners of crisis in Kaduna state based on the disruptive activities of his predecessor.
Ododo is not just a transformative leader, he is also a humble servant of the people. He has remained humble and loyal to his boss and predecessor. On his part, ex-Governor Bello has respected himself enough not to incur the wrath of his successor. He behaves like an elder and statesman who offers useful advice to his mentee when needed. Unlike other godfathers who are overbearing, greedy and self-centred and who often want to act as alternate governors, Bello lives in Abuja, not Lokoja, and he doesn’t flaunt himself in the Government House or anywhere near the incumbent governor.
Last Line
Governor Ododo is actively leveraging on the foundation set by Bello and the duo are working together to deliver good governance to the people of Kogi state who must consider themselves lucky to have them as leaders.
Other politicians in the country have a lot to learn from Ododo and Bello. They must learn to put the country above their ego, pride, political structure and bank account.
