THE GODFATHERISM SYNDROME IN NIGERIAN POLITICS: POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE (A CASE STUDY OF EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE)

ABSTRACT

This study examined the godfatherism syndrome in Nigerian politics: politics and governance (A case study of Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State), Nigeria. Specifically, the research was carried out to determine if there is any significant relationship between the historical development of Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State and emergence of godfatherism within its political landscape; specific strategies and mechanisms political godfathers employ to exert their influence over candidate selection and electoral processes in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State; the prevalence of godfatherism and the formulation and implementation of public POLITICS and governance decisions in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State; and the extent to which practice of godfatherism undermine transparency in political processes in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State. Quantitative survey method was adopted as the research design. Data was collected through administration of questionnaire to selected respondents. Data analysis of the research questions was done using the frequency count and percentages while the hypotheses were tested using multivariate regression analysis. The findings in this study revealed that there was a significant relationship between the historical development of Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State and the emergence of godfatherism within its political landscape; the specific strategies and mechanisms political godfathers employ and candidate selection and electoral processes in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State; the prevalence of godfatherism and the formulation and implementation of public POLITICS and governance decisions in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State; and the practice of godfatherism and transparency in political processes in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State. Based on the findings, it was recommended that efforts should be made to strengthen democratic institutions to ensure that they are independent and free from the influence of godfathers. This includes electoral bodies, judicial systems, and anti-corruption agencies.

Keywords: Godfatherism, political, governance, political landscape, electoral process,public policy