WHEN DEMOCRACY BECOMES A TRANSACTION: THE PRICE OF GODFATHERISM IN NIGERIA
As Nigeria marks 65 years of nationhood, one question continues to haunt our democratic journey: why does leadership seem perpetually tied to the influence of godfathers?
Recently, I read an insightful submission by Onovughe Igwe, who dissected the roots of godfatherism and its unbroken hold on Nigerian politics. His argument was both pragmatic and painful — that democracy, as practiced here, is inherently expensive and visibility demands resources that only a few possess.
He is right. But while we acknowledge this reality, we must also confront a deeper truth — that as a people, we are not yet ready for the kind of democracy we dream of.
In Nigeria’s political landscape, the cost of ambition is often beyond the reach of those who have genuine passion to serve. The process has been monetized to a point where only the wealthy or well-connected can afford to compete. Politics has become a game of investment, not of ideals. And like every investor, a politician’s first instinct after winning is to recover capital — with interest.
Even the most patriotic candidate, after spending hundreds of millions to campaign, begins to view public office as a business venture. That, unfortunately, is how conscience is sold and integrity compromised.
I was privileged to sit with the Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, during a roundtable ahead of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary. He said something profound:
“To win an election in Nigeria, you need nothing less than ₦500 million. If you are collecting that kind of money from politicians coming into office, will you be able to challenge them if they fail to deliver on their mandate?”
That statement should unsettle every well-meaning Nigerian. Because when citizens or political structures trade loyalty for money, they lose the moral authority to demand accountability.
It’s time we start dismantling this dangerous tradition of putting a price on political positions. Leadership should never be auctioned to the wealthiest bidder but entrusted to those with proven character, empathy, and competence.
We need a new kind of civic consciousness — one that values service above self-interest and vision above visibility. The youth especially must learn to build credibility, not just popularity.
Godfatherism may not disappear overnight, but we can weaken its grip if we collectively reject the transactional nature of politics. A democracy that runs on the engine of money will never deliver the justice, equity, and progress we desire.
If Nigeria must advance, we must make politics less about capital and more about character. Only then can we truly say our democracy is for the people — and not for those who can afford to buy it.
Comrade Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi
President, Societal Concerns Organization / Editor-in-Chief, Societal Concerns Magazine