Nothing Wrong With Godfathers In Nigerian Politics – Sunday Dare
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has said there is nothing wrong in having godfathers in politics as long as competence is accorded priority. The minister stated this on Thursday at the unveiling of Lead Generation Initiative, a non governmental and non political organisation created by businessman and lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State at the House of Representatives, Shina Peller. Dare noted that while Nigerians called them godfathers, they were called different names in other countries.”The definition of godfatherism is not a monolith. In the context of our own politics, a godfather is someone who sits there, decides and takes all the decisions, decides who gets what, whether it is resources or positions. Also before you can become a godfather, you must have paid some dues, you must have a level of influence, you must have some clout and you must have made sacrifices overtime. But beyond that, we also have godfathers for our children. The concept of godfatherism simply means that there are some individuals or influential leaders, who can be in block or individuals who drives the desired impact when it comes to political decisions and appointments. For me, in its entirety, godfatherism is not bad. But godfatherism that sacrifices competence for something else is bad.” He said.
