How the culture of patronage hinders Nigeria's democratic progress

THE issue of sponsorship In Nigeria policy space East A chronic A And has therefore slow motion down THE country democratic progression. THE idea of democracy East Speak clearly on THE free will of THE people In elect their policy leaders, And Or such "free will" East manipulated through THE influence of policy heavy weights, THE country East further drawn far Since THE realization of best democratic practical.

Unfortunately, most The politicians see policy godparents as THE most practical means of winner elections. However, experience has watch that THE patronage of policy godparents has fall consequences, not only For THE politician, but Also For THE public And THE stability of THE country himself.

For on A week, Nigerians were flooded with news of fight between ancient governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike And THE holder governor, sim Fubara on policy superiority In THE state.

Yes, Fubara, WHO was THE an accountant general of THE State during Wike's mandate as governor was not A active player In Rivers policy. He won THE People Democratic Party (PDP) primary election And Ultimately became THE governor of THE State through Wike's policy sagacity And influence.

Given previous the events, a lot knew that THE 'father And son' relationship between THE duo wouldn't he last. However, What was surprising was THE suddenness of THE grudge between them; barely six month of Fubara assumption of desk as governor.

THE crisis between Wike And Fubara became public When THE Rivers State Home of Assembly tent has to start Accused procedure against THE governor. Majority of THE State legislators, said has be loyal has Wike, all plays key the roles In THE emergence of Fubara as governor. THE State legislators, as part of their moves against Fubara, had suspended THE Home Chief, Edison Ehie, And other three the legislators – Victor Okay (Beautiful Constituency), Good boy Sokari (Ahoada West Constituency) And Adulphe Timothy (Opobo/Nkoro Constituency), said has be THE governor loyalists.

Speaking has her supporters When THE crisis was has It is peak, THE governor insured THE people of THE State of deliver THE dividends of democracy has them.

"To leave them come out And say Rivers people THE offense I to have engaged has to guarantee any of them indictment.

"To leave Me ensure THE people of Rivers that I will continue has ensure that You get THE dividends of democracy. HAS THE appropriate time I will address THE press," he said.

Wike, WHO East NOW THE Minister of THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT), After A meeting with a few PDP governors In Abuja, accused Fubara of enjoy with her policy opponents.

"You can't work, And people will to start has bring enemies; those WHO fought You When You were in trouble For THE person has be In desk. Person do that," he said.

THE ancient governor, WHO denied that he was while searching financial gratification Since her successor, suggested that Fubara was trying has take control of THE PDP structure In Rivers.

"I am not A policy ungrateful but don't do it touch THE policy structure of THE State. I will not close My eyes," Wike said.

Also, while receive South-South leaders has her desk, Wike underlines THE importance of holding her base has maintain her policy relevance.

He maintained that once he lose her base as A politician, he has lost her relevance politically, further explaining that No Rising of campaign of calumny against him would be TO DO him lose sleep as THE RIGHT thing must be it's done.

"All of We to want has be politically relevant; all of We to want has maintain OUR policy structure," THE minister said.

"East he not your policy structure? Will You allow anybody has just cut You out immediately? Everyone has A base. If You take My base, am I not politically unimportant?

THE melee between Wike And Fubara was not THE First of all In THE history of policy sponsorship In Nigeria. A similar struggle between Rock Obi And Willie Obiano In Anambra State Also occurred. THE SO outgoing governor Obi research out her friend, Obiano, A banker as himself, Since THE even bank, has take on Since him. They were said has be THE best of friends And Obi apparently believed that he would be follow In her footprint as governor. He campaigned vigorously For him And he won. But as Soon as THE euphoria of Obiano/APGA victory deceased down And THE new governor ruler down has Government Home, Awka, cracks began has appear In their relationship. They began has trade accusations And counter accusations. And as THE crisis in-depth, Obi opted out of APGA And decamped has THE PDP.

In Osun State, ancient Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbésola, was visibly delighted has THE to take an oath of her successor, Gboyéga Oyetola, WHO was her Chief of Staff during her time as governor. He Also plays A significant role When THE battle offbeat has THE law courts, up has THE Supreme Court. However, No earlier had Oyetola ruler...