GODFATHERISM IN NIGERIAN POLITICS AND THE IDEALS OF MERITOCRACY FOR NATION BULIDING

By

Barnabas Ekiegini  Izegede

Department of Philosophy

University of Delta, Agbor, Nigeria

Abstract

Politics in Nigeria over the years have suffered from meritocracy especially at the level of appointments due to personal interest and other forms of affiliations.  This paper will therefore examine the crisis of Godfatherism and the ideals meritocracy in Nigeria. This practice has undermined the principles of meritocracy encouraging corruption, and inefficiency in government appointments and has adversely affected nation building in all strata as it involves the appointment of individuals to positions of power based on their loyalty and connections to those in power, rather than their qualifications or merit. The paper argues that the roots of this crisis lie in the country’s post-colonial history, where the emphasis on patronage and clientelism has perpetuated a system of privilege and exclusion instead of fair play and conscientiousness.  It will also examine the ways in which the practice of meritocracy can justify national development against the danger of Godfatherism.  The evidence from Nigeria’s political history will be used to illustrate the consequences of this ugly practice and the harm it has caused over the years. The paper concludes that the crisis of Godfatherism in Nigeria can only be addressed by promoting a culture of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the country’s political institutions, if and only if we can build a democratic nation that can  compete with the global world.