RismadarVoice Reporters
January 25, 2026
A Federal Commissioner representing Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states at the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mr Henry Idahagbon, has described godfatherism as a uniquely Nigerian creation that poses a serious threat to democratic governance and must be consciously dismantled.
Idahagbon made the assertion in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
“I believe the concept of godfatherism is a uniquely Nigerian invention. Maybe it is one of Nigeria’s negative contributions to the development of democracy,” he said.
According to him, while influential political leaders exist in advanced democracies such as the United States, other developed countries, nothing compares to the Nigerian version of godfatherism.
“Everywhere in the world, including the United States, there are influential political leaders whose views can shape election outcomes. But there is nothing that can be compared with the Nigerian concept of godfatherism. That is why I said it is a unique Nigerian creation,” Idahagbon added.
He cited Edo and Rivers states as examples of what he described as the most extreme manifestations of godfatherism in Nigeria, noting that both states have experienced prolonged political instability as a result.
“In Rivers and Edo, we have seen, still seeing the negative impact of godfatherism. Those two states represent perhaps the worst species of godfatherism in Nigeria,” he said.
Recalling events during the political fallout between former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, Idahagbon said the crisis exposed the dangers inherent in godfather politics.
“At the peak of the Obaseki and Oshiomhole imbroglio, we saw Obaseki practically declaring Oshiomhole a persona non grata in a state that he governed for eight years,” he said.
He added that security arrangements had to be made to protect
Oshiomhole at the time, following repeated attacks on his convoy and threats to his safety.
“And the same thing is playing out againRivers State. We have the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory who keeps breathing down the neck of Governor Siminalayi Fubara because he brought him to power,” Idahagbon stated.
The federal commissioner, who served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice during Oshiomhole’s administration, stressed that elected leaders must disengage from power after leaving office.
“When governors and presidents leave office, they should leave for good. They should not be engaged in determining who succeeds them,” he said.
According to Idahagbon, the desire by political office holders to impose successors is often driven by fear of post-office accountability.
“In my opinion, political actors want to determine who succeeds them because they want protection after leaving office,” he said.
He argued that leaders with clean records have no need to impose successors, citing Abia State Governor Alex Otti as an example.
“If governors do well, like I believe Governor Alex Otti of Abia is doing, you don’t need to determine who succeeds you. Anybody can succeed you if your records are clean,” he added.
Idahagbon called for a national rejection of godfatherism and urged political actors to embrace democratic principles based on popular choice.
“We should consciously say no to godfatherism, embrace one man, one vote; one governor, one vote,” he said.
He noted that the principle should become a national mantra, warning that godfatherism has far-reaching negative consequences for Nigeria’s political system.
“I think that mantra should become a national mantra, one man, one vote and let us say no to godfatherism because it has negative implications for our polity,” he added.
