Godfatherism in Nigerian Politics: Beware of the love that often goes sour

Godfatherism in Nigerian Politics: Beware of the love that often goes sour

By  EJIKE CHINONSO, ABUJA Although insiders speculate that the extreme row between former governor of Kano State, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and his, now ex-political godson, and current governor of the state, Umar Ganduje is as a result of tussle over political appointment in Kano state, observers still believe that there are more to  it than meet the ordinary eyes.

A sight of women and children, welding dangerous weapons, threatening to cause the blood of their brothers and sisters to flow if Kwankwaso dared visit home the other day was dizzying. And you could see young and old men in photos that went viral on the social media, holding up their clubs and daggers while Governor Ganduje addressed them.

The Police warned Kwankwaso, in the interest of peace, to cancel his plans to visit his home state. And he read the handwriting on the wall, and it read “Kwankwaso, if you visit Kano today, there will be a serious blood shade. You might not die but many of your supporters will die”. Then, he shelved his visit to Kano. One would ask, is this how politics is played elsewhere in the world?

It was that bad.

The bond between Kwankwaso and Ganduje, just before the 2015 election  was solid, they had a knitted tie that was the envy of many and for years, they both worked together as a governor and a deputy for eight years and enjoyed a harmonious working relationship that was devoid of rancour.

When he was appointed minister of Defence, he dragged his ally with him to Abuja as one of his aides. Upon his return in 2011 as governor, Kwankwaso also came back with Ganduje and worked tirelessly to ensure that his long standing deputy succeeded him.

With the success of his succession plan, Kwankwaso became the second governor in Nigeria’s political history to hand over the baton of leadership of a state to his deputy. The first person to record such feat was the former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Sani Yerima, who upon the completion of his eight years in office in 2007, worked assiduously to hand over the reins of power to his deputy, Mahmuda Shinkafi.

Kwankwaso was Ganduje’s political godfather.  Nigerians are used to seeing governors or a president installing a candidate to replace them when they leave office. Their goal is to consolidate their political powers and remain relevant when they hand over their position. But it has hardly been a success as the godsons repudiate against their godfathers soon after taking over power.  Another  notorious one was  the case of former Governor of Anambra state, Dr. Chris Ngige, who was abducted by his godfather, Dr.Chris Ubah for failing to toe the line. Ubah did not want life to remain for Ngige. In Enugu state, Governor Chimaraoke Nnamani anointed his Chief of Staff, Sullivan Chime to succeed him in 2007 but the godson soon rebelled.  In 2007 outgoing Abia state Governor Orji Uzor Kalu anointed two Governors, Ikedi Ohakim in Imo State and Theodore Orji in Abia. The latter was cooling his heels in prison when he was elected but both men rebelled against Kalu. Jonathan kicked out governor Timipre Sylva to make room for Seriake Dickson too.   To that extent the political fallout between Kwankwaso and Ganduje was not just a new scene in Nigerian politics. What is new is the level of mobilization, the firm consolidation of the two camps and the potential for violence as evidenced by the unrest in Kano. A godfather is understandably offended when, after lending his name, time, money, political experience and other resources to anoint a candidate, the latter pulls away once he enters power. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso however a different kind of godfather .During his second term in office as Governor he created a movement called Kwankwasiyya designed to ensure that he remains popular in Kano politics for years to come. Ganduje began to repudiate Kwankwaso’s legacy and question his record in 2011-2015 which had been widely touted as stellar.

Kwankwasiyya’s top political goal for 2019 is to bring down Ganduje, demolish his movement and install a loyal Kwankwasiyya man in the Government house .By dividing Kano State’s APC down the middle. Every godfather will always want to remain in charge and if he doesn’t have his way, there tends to be crises.

For us to escape this ugly trend this godfathers must allow the will of the people to over rule their own will. The electorate are the ones to choose a new leader when an incumbent steps down and not vice versa .To protect the people we elected to govern, we have to play by the rule.