THE DANGERS OF GODFATHERISM IN ELECTORAL PROCESS: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

  • GABRIEL FAVOUR EKE
  • FELIX SADO OSAYANDE OSAGHAE
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53555/sshr.v1i5.164
Keywords: Godfatherism, Corruption, electoral fraud, intimidation and development

Abstract

The paper discusses the destructive trends in Nigerian political Phenomenon known as Godfatherism. It states that this was the reason why Nigeria after fifty years of
independence, has not made any serious impact in its political development, while it continues to blame the colonial masters for its problems. The paper was of the
opinion that this is the phenomenon in which wealthy and powerful individuals in the society multiply corruption by installing their protégé in office. By this method,
the candidates no longer depend on their popularity with the people, but by the whims and caprices of the Godfathers. The paper explains the danger of this method,
in that people no longer have trust in our electoral system because violence, intimidation and subversion of the rule of law become the order of the day, hence
the dearth of development becomes the resultant effect. Also, the oath taking by prospective candidates in a shrine before their Godfathers as a pre-requisite for
acceptance and a guarantee to fulfilling their agreement is also presented here with exemplifications. The paper concludes, interalia the holistic reconfiguration of the
total apparatus of the Nigerian state; the phenomenon called Godfatherism be abrogated in the Nigerian political life and ultimately, the nation’s electoral laws
should be strengthened and offenders be allowed to face the whole wrought of the law.

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Author Biographies

GABRIEL FAVOUR EKE

Ph.D*
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY,
WESTERN DELTA UNIVERSITY,
OGHARA, DELTA STATE,
NIGERIA
TELEPHONE: +2348056175436

FELIX SADO OSAYANDE OSAGHAE

Ph.D**
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
AND EXTENSION SERVICES,
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN,
EKEHUAN CAMPUS,
BENIN CITY, EDO STATE
NIGERIA.

Published
2016-05-31
How to Cite
FAVOUR EKE, G., & SADO OSAYANDE OSAGHAE, F. (2016). THE DANGERS OF GODFATHERISM IN ELECTORAL PROCESS: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE. IJRDO - Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, 1(5), 58-72. https://doi.org/10.53555/sshr.v1i5.164
Issue
Vol. 1 No. 5 (2016): IJRDO - Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
Section
Articles

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