Nigerian elections in 2019: how "godfathers" influence politics

The "godfathers" in Nigerian politics do not usually run for the elections themselves, but many think that they are the ones who decide the winners and the losers of the elections.

While the election campaign for the February 16 general election is well advanced, it is the men – and they are invariably men – who are pulling the strings behind the scenes.

They are political sponsors who use money and influence to gain support from their favorite candidates.

It is thought that their "godchildren" are not always chosen for their political sense, but rather for their ability to repay and enrich their godfather.

Dele Ashiru, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lagos, gave birth to the term "sponsorship".

"This refers to a situation in which a great man exercises enormous political power, then names a godson that he adopts as a candidate for the election.

"And the sponsor will do all that is reasonably possible for the godson to be appointed to a political office.

"The sponsor must have influence, the more often he is or was a political office holder."

When "sponsorship" goes bad

In the state of Akwa Ibom, in the south of the country, the largest oil producer in the country, many people think that the main sponsor is Godswill Akpabio, who sits in the Senate.

Former governor of the state, he still holds significant power in local politics.

So powerful that his defection just months ago to the benefit of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in power, is considered essential to the party's hope of winning its first victory in that state since the return of the democracy in Nigeria in 1999.

A hope reiterated by President Muhammadu Buhari when he chose Akwa Ibom to launch his reelection campaign in December.

And Mr. Akpabio certainly seems to give numerical results. During a recent rally, I spoke to supporters who said he would bring more than 300,000 voters to APC.

But Senator Akpabio denies being a kings maker: "If anybody wants to say that I am a godfather, I do not want to agree with them.

"The only time you could say that I was playing a role of godfather, it was in 2015. I named the current governor [of Akwa Ibom] and when I introduced it to people, they supported it, "he told the BBC.

However, a member of his own party claims that the 2015 victory was marred by violence and irregularities, orchestrated by Mr. Akpabio.

Umana Okon Umana, who aspired to be governor at the time, accused Akpabio of using state resources, including security forces, to install his candidate.

He describes this as a situation in which a godfather sits down with his wife "and notes in writing all those who will contest the elections for governor … up to the House of Assembly.

"He writes these names before the primaries, and then, if you are not one of those candidates, they make sure you do not have access to the place. [of the primaries]. "

However, a 2015 Supreme Court ruling declared that elections in the state were free and fair.

But the "godfather" can be complicated.

Onofiok Luke, who now chairs the House of Assembly of the state of Akwa Ibom, was one of the former godchildren of Mr. Akpabio.

A deeply religious man, he attributes his success in politics to God, but many will say that he owes much more to his former godfather.

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A former personal badistant to Mr. Akpabio, he admits to having received financial support for his marriage and his 40th birthday, and to have been "accompanied" by Mr. Akpabio throughout his political career.

However, the relationship has deteriorated and the speaker of parliament Akwa Ibom, who claims to have received $ 5.5 million last year and that the vice governor, allowing him to change gone, do not hide what he thinks his former boss is capable of.

"I have worked with him and I know that he knows how to use the power of the state."

In a written response from his press team, Mr. Akpabio denied all charges against him, stating: "We understand that it is a campaign season and that these accusations far-fetched and unsubstantiated will be launched by opponents to gain political time. "

Battle of the hats

In a very different region of the country, the political future of the predominantly Muslim state of Kano, in the north of the country, can also be defined by a larger-than-life godfather.

Kano has the second largest number of registered voters in the country, making it a key state for the victory of one or the other of the two main parties.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor, has built a loyal and dedicated clientele in this country, thanks in part to a free education program implemented during his tenure. Regardless of the candidate obtained, many electors are guaranteed.

He even has his own political fan club, known as the Kwankwasiyya movement, whose members are easily recognizable in their red bonnets and white robes.

He supports Abba Kabiru Yusuf, candidate of the Democratic People's Party (PDP), after getting scrambled with a former ally.

On many campaign posters, Mr. Kwankwaso's image is larger than that of the PDP candidate.

"In all the states where you go today, especially in northern Nigeria, you will get a house without a Kwankwasiyya member, neither the father nor the mother nor any of the children, nor the worker of home, "said Kwankwaso. the BBC.

In the last elections, he successfully supported Abdullahi Ganduje, his former deputy governor.

But since Mr. Ganduje became governor, he is plunged into a bitter dispute with Mr. Kwankwaso.

The quarrel is so fierce that Mr. Kwankwaso has long avoided the city of Kano, where he tried to counter his popularity with the so-called Gandujiyya movement, whose members wear blue hats.

& # 39; Question of ego & # 39;

When godchildren become political actors in their own right, it is inevitable that they will argue with their godparents.

Mr. Ashiru explained that this is due to the fact that in developing societies such as Nigeria, the state is the most important source of accumulation of income and wealth, to which both will want have access.

But it's also a question of ego, according to Emmanuel Onwubiko, of the Association of Human Rights Writers of Nigeria.

"Some godfathers do not really want to make money, they just want respect, they want to be revered when they enter the state, they want to be recognized as the most important person in the world. society, "he says.

• Learn more about the vote of Nigeria in 2019

For Ashiru, this is an essential problem of sponsorship: "The sponsor culture is more about the individual than the collective.

"Democracy is about people, but here, a few people across the country are making critical political decisions, particularly regarding the recruitment of public officers.

"So, it goes without saying that such a system can not make democracy flourish."

All the politicians I've talked to have moved away from the term "godfather", who has become too busy – badociated with bullish tactics and undemocratic practices.

And as referrals gain confidence, it is unclear how long sponsors can retain power.

For Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Kwankwaso, it will not be long before they find out if their influence is faltering.