Politics in Nigeria has always been a game of influence, but nowhere is this influence more suffocating than in Lagos and Rivers State. In both regions, godfatherism—where powerful individuals control governance from behind the scenes—has become the defining force of political life. It is not just a problem of undemocratic control; it is a system that has robbed citizens of genuine leadership, accountability, and progress.
In Lagos, one man’s grip has dictated who holds power for decades. The state, often hailed as Nigeria’s economic hub, should be a model of governance, yet it struggles under the weight of patronage and unchallenged authority. The problem is not just that one person wields too much power; it is that the entire political structure revolves around loyalty rather than competence. Leadership is not earned through merit but granted as a favor, and those in power owe their allegiance not to the people but to their benefactor. As a result, political opposition is often crushed before it can even find its voice, and elections become mere formalities rather than true democratic contests.
Rivers State presents a different but equally troubling picture. Instead of a single dominant figure, the state has been a battleground for warring political factions, each led by its own godfather. Power is not just about governance; it is about survival, and the stakes are high. Elections in Rivers are less about policy and more about brute force, with violence, intimidation, and endless legal battles becoming the norm. The constant struggle for dominance has left the state in perpetual political instability, where governance is secondary to the battle for control.
But beyond the politics, the consequences of godfatherism are deeply personal for ordinary citizens. Corruption thrives when accountability is nonexistent, and godfathers ensure that their protégés are untouchable. Resources meant for public services are diverted to maintain political dominance, leaving communities without basic amenities. The rule of law is selectively applied—those with connections are above it, while the powerless are crushed by it. And worst of all, the people, disillusioned by a system that offers no real choice, lose faith in democracy itself.
The only way out of this cycle is for institutions to regain their independence, for accountability to become the norm rather than the exception, and for citizens to recognize the power of their voices. Breaking the chains of godfatherism is not just about changing leaders; it is about dismantling a system that has held two of Nigeria’s most important states hostage for far too long.