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Dangers of Outside godfathers Sponsoring Elections in Igboland: Prelude to Slavery
New York---Africans In America News Watch recently conducted a quick survey among Anambra indigenes in United States regarding issues of godfathers whether Anambra indigenous godfathers or outside godfather sponsoring elections in Anambra State, Nigeria. The response was overwhelming renunciation of godfatherism, more especially outsiders in Anambra State electoral system. "Where are the Emeka Ofor, Ibeto, Pokobros, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Ilodibe, Author Eze, Ifeanyi Uba, Emmanuel Bishop Okonkwo, and all other Anambra billionaires? ", asked a large section of people surveyed. "Why should a son of the soil dangerously sell his family Obi away to a competitive foe? Anambra State is like Obi of Igboland. The land of Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Zik of Africa, Dr. Nwafor Orizu, Alex Ekwueme, Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Chuba Okadigbo, Cardinal Francis Arinze, and all other prominent sons (and daughters) of Anambra State is a land of heroes", echoed almost all Anambra indigene contacted on this matter. There is absolutely no need to sell Obi Igbo (Anambra State, or, any Igbo state for that matter) to outside money-bags and loan-shacks. What Are Godfathers In Nigerian Electoral System? In Nigeria, the term godfathers (a/k/a, money-bags; a/k/a, loan-shacks) refer to superfluously very wealthy men (no known woman yet) that finance elections. When the godfathers sponsor election, they normally corner the government treasury and control the government in order to recoup their investment. It is more like a business enterprise. When the godfathers sponsor election, the indigenes of that state become virtually their slaves until they satisfactorily get the return they want. The problem is that, the terms of their investment are secret in most cases, and their greed is most often insatiable. Pointers to Nigerian Model Political Investment/Sponsors hip and Re-coupment of Investment: A Case Study A close study of Lagos scenario will be very useful for any candidate and policy makers for informed decision. Former governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Asiwaju Tinubu, an accountant by training, is one of the founders of Action Congress party (AC), a super-wealthy man, its major financier and hence a major stalwart in the party. For his investment in the candidacy of his predecessor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), an attorney, the current Lagos State Government under Governor Fashola is reportedly paying him (Tinubu's firm) mandatory N2.1 billion Naira per month commission for consulting services. Tinubu's firms and firms of his interests (many of them according to reports) are also reportedly getting juicy contracts from the Lagos State government of Gov. Fashola. However, recent attempt by the governor (Babatunde Raji Fashola) to advertise and allow open competitive bidding of government jobs (contracts) such as juicy roads projects does not go down well with Chief Bola Asiwaju Tinubu who reportedly wants the contracts awarded to his firms of interest without open competitive bidding. His (Chief Bola Asiwaju Tinubu) controlled/royal state legislature reportedly started collecting signatures and started threatening impeachment of the high-achieving popular Governor Fashola, according to reports. Anambra State and Problems of Political godfatherism The problem of godfatherism is a subject the people of Anambra State understand very well more than any other state in Nigeria. The pathetic story of Anambra State until 2003 is well-known. That it’s past military and civilian leaders (with exception of Ezeife) totally mismanaged resources is indisputable. The indigenes and residents of the state were inundated with struggles and fights between the state governors and their godfathers over the control and management of the state resources from 1999 to 2003. The first major fight between state governor and political ‘godfather’ was recorded between after general election in 1999. Multibillionaire-businessman, Chief Emeka Ofor engaged Governor Clement Chinweoke Odera Mbadinuju in prolonged battle over management of the state’s resources from 1999 to 2003.
After 2003 general election, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige was sworn-in as governor on April 19, 2003. Shortly after the election and swearing-in Governor Ngige started having problems with his ‘godfathers’ led by multi-billionaire businessman, Chief Chris Uba (a/k/a, Eselu Uga), according to reports. Shortly after, Governor Ngige reportedly broke ranks with them. For that he was abducted from his office on July 10, 2009 and taken to unknown destination. When Governor Ngige was eventually released, he revealed that his abduction was masterminded by Chief Chris Uba and others, his political ‘godfathers’ over his failure to open the treasury of Anambra State Government to them. Following open disagreement and quarrel between Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige and his ‘godfathers’ led by Chief Chris Uba, and for his political survival, Dr. Ngige turned populist and cleverly connected with the masses through massive construction of roads. The struggle between Gov. Ngige and his ‘godfathers’ resulted in instability in Anambra State, destruction of many properties, including arsons, various sorts of violence, non-conduct of local government elections, retardation of democratization progress, destruction of social and business development and growth. During that period, the whole state was held hostage by the marauding 'godfathers'; even the state governor was not free and safe hence, he is in and out of hiding. Only the godfathers and their associates move about freely, accompanied by heavy police security, according to reports. When the Nigeria's higher court (Court of Appeal) ruled on March 15, 2006 that Gov. Ngige was not duly elected and consequently removed him from office, Peter Obi and Virgy Etiaba who were actually the duly elected governor and deputy-governor were then sworn-in on March 17, 2006. Luckily for Anambra State, Governor Peter Obi and Virgy Etiaba have no godfather. Dim Ojukwu on whose personality they won the election is not in the business of ‘godfatherism’; his interest was development of Anambra State and Igboland in general. Gov. Peter Obi had free hands to run his government. Despite his shortcomings, Gov. Obi took development of Anambra State to new height by attempting to develop all sectors and sections of the state, according to reports. That notwithstanding, Anambra State has not recovered from many years of neglect and abandonment. Anambra State is at best described to be under-developed and by all accounts a very poor state. The state does not have airport, most of the roads in the state remain undeveloped, government institutions, structures, facilities and infrastructures are falling down, schools from kindergarten to university campuses, hospitals, health centers, water system, housing, electricity, sanitation, parks and recreation, natural resources, waterways, rivers and streams, and many others are areas in need of development. Private sector industries and businesses are sad commentary. The state needs every cents it could raise; from internally generated revenue, to money from federation account, to foreign aids from UNDP and other outside sources. Can Anambra State Government Treasury Survive Lagos-type Godfathers and Their Terms for Recoupment of Investment? The collective answer to this question is emphatic no. "Anambra State neither afford Lagos-type of godfatherism arrangements and their terms for recoupment of investments; and, nor will it want repeat of 1999 to 2003 experiences played out by Gov. Ngige and the godfathers led by Chief Chris Uba,” were the general consensus of Anambra people in United States we surveyed. Anambra people are really curious about this subject and they have the right to know. Africans In America News Watch |
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