Am enjoying this...

obiZEAL:


Sir That question is a debate for another, I recommend it for the next round.
Now thank you agreeing with me that Godfatherism has to be eliminated and even goin a step further to seeking how to eliminate it...
That's progressive.

Agree with you? Quite sarcastic.Your philosophy is unrealistic.
We keep blaming Godfatherism to shield ourselves of the truth which stares at us in the face

You evade my question, I guess it was beyond your acute proficience.
I'll ask a simple one next time.

Abuklaw you have made us understand that good leaders would stand their ground and fight their godfathers. I ask, don't you think "good leaders" would be distracted when fighting their godfathers at the detriment of the people's liberation. my conclusion, when godfathers bring up leaders, as is the case in Nigeria, they would control the leaders and when leaders resist, they would distract the leaders. all to the disadvantage of the country. so godfatherism is the problem

Catalyst4real:

This is ridiculous, on a more candid note, I have to come to the realisation, that godfatherism will always be blamed for the dilapidation of Nigeria's politics and electoral processes
And it is this mentality that leaves us groveling in the mud; How swiftly we condemn the least of our heartaches

You've been spewing all night that Godfatherism has to be eliminated, how do you plan on going about that?

What about independent candidature? In Nigeria Godfathers operate primarily through the party system. If we have an electoral system in which people could contest for posts as individuals based on the strength of their personalities, ideals and goals without riding on the coattails of godfathers in order to get elected, don't you think that would eliminate godfatherism?

Abuklaw:
Let me hear you say it again that politics in Nigeria is more complex than that of the USA. What I and my colleague are insinuating is that "cutting off the head is not the cure for headache." we are actually saying that, the positive elements obtainable in godfatherism as practised around the world and previously in Nigeria is enough reason to hold on to it. We are however campaigning integrity in leadership, accountability and sincerity from our leaders.

I hope you would agree with me that godfatherism doesn't poses much threat as the character flaws I pointed out in my submission.

Character flaws poses a threat to leadership, but installing people with this character flaws poses a greater danger...and that is what Godfatherism in nIgeria does, it automatically disqualifies honourable men.

Catalyst4real a question waiting for you from the judge.

obiZEAL:


During the period of the rift between Adedibu and Ladoja, the latter's rule was rendered ineffective because he left his primary duty and was engaging his erstwhile Godfather...that is why Godfatherism should be stopped, it creates distraction which yields ineffectiveness.

Everything that happened then isn't beyond my knowledge. I am an indigene of Oyo state. I was there when all this happened. Ladoja didn't leave his primary assignment to battle it out with Adedibu. To know how effective this man was during this period, ask public servants in Oyo state. It is a known fact that public servants and the general populace clamour for the return of this man to government due to his perceived integrity.

Catalyst4real:

Agree with you? Quite sarcastic.Your philosophy is unrealistic.
We keep blaming Godfatherism to shield ourselves of the truth which stares at us in the face

You evade my question, I guess it was beyond your acute proficience.
I'll ask a simple one next time.

Sir I did not evade your question, if I was to answer it will lead me to derail from the topic...
what is the truth that stares us in the face in the face?

adeaks:


What about independent candidature? In Nigeria Godfathers operate primarily through the party system. If we have an electoral system in which people could contest for posts as individuals based on the strength of their personalities, ideals and goals without riding on the coattails of godfathers in order to get elected, don't you think that would eliminate godfatherism?

Quite myopic I must say.
you're only viewing Godfatherism in political aspects that require Election, what about the sectors that involve appointments?
On a more practical note, eliminating Godfatherism is close to impossible, rather the innovation to counter the abuse of such culture for personal gain should be emphasized. in terms of patriotism, national love, godliness and moral.
Removal isn't the answer, Reformation is the key

obiZEAL:


Sir I did not evade your question, if I was to answer it will lead me to derail from the topic...
what is the truth that stares us in the face in the face?

We do not have effective leaders not because of Godfatherism, but because our leaders cherish personal gains over national growth. That's the truth you've been avoiding all night. You've been making it look like "once Godfatherism is removed, the door to effective leaders will be opened" and that's a fallacy

noskyboy:
Abuklaw you have made us understand that good leaders would stand their ground and fight their godfathers. I ask, don't you think "good leaders" would be distracted when fighting their godfathers at the detriment of the people's liberation. my conclusion, when godfathers bring up leaders, as is the case in Nigeria, they would control the leaders and when leaders resist, they would distract the leaders. all to the disadvantage of the country. so godfatherism is the problem

Thanks for this contribution. What I want you to understand here is that, their is nothing like distraction here, unless the law that gives power to implement and execute policy to the executive is retracted. Godsons can implement policies that will shut up godfathers for life. Ineffective leaders are however hesitant of confronting their godfathers as a result of their own character deficiency and inadequacy.

You should note, that godfatherism is practise through out the world, not only in Nigeria. Why should a rational human being clamour for the removal of what is healthy to a nation's development if practised according to convention? I hope you know that absence of godfathers does not guarantee effective leadership. I believe you are not oblivion of the fact that effective leadership is a complex of many requirements not absence of godfatherism.

Catalyst4real:

We do not have effective leaders not because of Godfatherism, but because our leaders cherish personal gains over national growth. That's the truth you've been avoiding all night. You've been making it look like "once Godfatherism is removed, the door to effective leaders will be opened" and that's a fallacy

Sir, I agree with you that selfishness is the bane of our development, but my stand is that this selfish leaders rode on the back of Godfatherism. And that is why Godfatherism should be scrapped, It gives room for selfish people to become leaders which yields a bigger problem.

Catalyst4real:

Quite myopic I must say.
you're only viewing Godfatherism in political aspects that require Election, what about the sectors that involve appointments?
On a more practical note, eliminating Godfatherism is close to impossible, rather the innovation to counter the abuse of such culture for personal gain should be emphasized. in terms of patriotism, national love, godliness and moral.
Removal isn't the answer, Reformation is the key

Kindly explain further.

If an independent candidate contests and wins an election, where will the Godfather come in, in a sector that involves appointments? Who makes the appointment if not an elected person?
Do Godfathers make appointments in those sectors from the comfort of their living rooms?

Catalyst4real:

Removal isn't the answer, Reformation is the key

This is our stand. We couldn't even grasp it that godfatherism is solely the cause of inefficiency of our leaders.

Abuklaw:
Thanks for this contribution. What I want you to understand here is that, their is nothing like distraction here, unless the law that gives power to implement and execute policy to the executive is retracted. Godsons can implement policies that will shut up godfathers for life. Ineffective leaders are however hesitant of confronting their godfathers as a result of their own character deficiency and inadequacy.

You should note, that godfatherism is practise through out the world, not only in Nigeria. Why should a rational human being clamour for the removal of what is healthy to a nation's development if practised according to convention? I hope you know that absence of godfathers does not guarantee effective leadership. I believe you are not oblivion of the fact that effective leadership is a complex of many requirements not absence of godfatherism.

In your post, you mentioned Awolowo as one of the great examples of the good effects of godfatherism. So what would you say about the feud between Awolowo and S.L Akintola and the catastrophic effect it had on the Western region at that time, not to mention the eventual cascading effect on the country as a whole? Is that not an example of godfatherism gone wrong?

Abuklaw:
Thanks for this contribution. What I want you to understand here is that, their is nothing like distraction here, unless the law that gives power to implement and execute policy to the executive is retracted. Godsons can implement policies that will shut up godfathers for life. Ineffective leaders are however hesitant of confronting their godfathers as a result of their own character deficiency and inadequacy.

You should note, that godfatherism is practise through out the world, not only in Nigeria. Why should a rational human being clamour for the removal of what is healthy to a nation's development if practised according to convention? I hope you know that absence of godfathers does not guarantee effective leadership. I believe you are not oblivion of the fact that effective leadership is a complex of many requirements not absence of godfatherism.

I agree with you that godfatherism elimination, would not end all the problems. but it would open the door to credible candidates. therefore its elimination in Nigeria, is the first step to good leadership

Noskyboy, in your essay you wrote that godfathers are supposed to mentor the young ones.

We live in a time where the Nigerian youths are constantly asking for more posts in government and demanding to rule. Now, If the youths have their way and get into power, don't you think the country would suffer from their youthful exuberances and inexperience without the wisdom of godfathers to guide them?

adeaks:


Kindly explain further.

If an independent candidate contests and wins an election, where will the Godfather come in, in a sector that involves appointments? Who makes the appointment if not an elected person?
Do Godfathers make appointments in those sectors from the comfort of their living rooms?

Now you're reasoning with me
Godfatherism will never be eliminated because we always believe it to be the reason an election is won. No matter how free and fair it is.
Like I said earlier, the corruption in Godfatherism should be countered by promoting transparency in governance and electoral processes.

Nigeria Practices a democratic system of Government, and that alone is a reason why Godfatherism should be scrapped. TheY people should be left to decide who should rule them, without having to contend with the choices of the often influential Godfathers.
That is our stand.

Hmmmmmmmm

obiZEAL:
Nigeria Practices a democratic system of Government, and that alone is a reason why Godfatherism should be scrapped. TheY people should be left to decide who should rule them, without having to contend with the choices of the often influential Godfathers.
That is our stand.

But don't we have elections in Nigeria? If the godfathers put up a candidate, are the people not supposed to vote for the other candidates if they do not want the godfathers' candidates to rule over them?

Will you then agree that based on your statement about Nigeria practicing democracy, the problem is fundamentally with our electoral system that allows candidates to be rigged in and not really with the godfathers?

adeaks:
Noskyboy, in your essay you wrote that godfathers are supposed to mentor the young ones.

We live in a time where the Nigerian youths are constantly asking for more posts in government and demanding to rule. Now, If the youths have their way and get into power, don't you think the country would suffer from their youthful exuberances and inexperience without the wisdom of godfathers to guide them?

We clamour for the removal of Godfatherism, and we propose that it is replaced with track records and credibility...the youth with they clearest history of excellence should be elected and not the youth with the most influential Godfather.

adeaks:


In your post, you mentioned Awolowo as one of the great examples of the good effects of godfatherism. So what would you say about the feud between Awolowo and S.L Akintola and the catastrophic effect it had on the Western region at that time, not to mention the eventual cascading effect on the country as a whole? Is that not an example of godfatherism gone wrong?

Thanks for this question, what happened between Awolowo and Akintola was a clash of ideology and interest. Awolowo and his people in AG are more conservative while Akintola aligned with policies of NPC at the detriment of his party. This is vivid because Akintola eventually dumped AG to create another party. The reason why Awolowo's name resonate more than of Akintola among the yorubas can be attributed to selfless service and integrity of Awolowo. Awolowo didn't demand a pound of flesh from Akintola. His request was just for Akintola to use the ideology of the party that out him into power not that opposition. Was he wrong for doing that.

To win election in the south-west, you stand a better chance when you align with Awolowo not Akintola. Ideological godfatherism practised then led to significance development achieved during Awolowo's era. I hope you would agree with me that Awolowo played the role checking the excess of Akintola anti party activities not demanding for selfish interest.

Abuklaw:
This is our stand. We couldn't even grasp it that godfatherism is solely the cause of inefficiency of our leaders.

Yes. It is quite disheartening how we Nigerians have placed the entire blame on godfatherism. Like corruption exists only as an external factor that can only be inspired in a leader by a so called godfather.
Nice job sir

adeaks:


In your post, you mentioned Awolowo as one of the great examples of the good effects of godfatherism. So what would you say about the feud between Awolowo and S.L Akintola and the catastrophic effect it had on the Western region at that time, not to mention the eventual cascading effect on the country as a whole? Is that not an example of godfatherism gone wrong?

Thanks for this question. what happened between Awolowo and Akintola was a clash of ideology and interest. Awolowo and his people in AG are more conservative while Akintola aligned with policies of NPC at the detriment of his party. This is vivid because Akintola eventually dumped AG to create another party. The reason why Awolowo's name resonate more than that of Akintola among the yorubas can be attributed to selfless service and integrity of Awolowo. Awolowo didn't demand a pound of flesh from Akintola. His request was just for Akintola to use the ideology of the party that put him into power not that of opposition. Was he wrong for doing that.

To win election in the south-west, you stand a better chance when you align with Awolowo not Akintola. Ideological godfatherism practised then led to significance development achieved during Awolowo's era. I hope you would agree with me that Awolowo played the role of checking the excesses of Akintola anti party activities not demanding for selfish interest.

adeaks:
Noskyboy, in your essay you wrote that godfathers are supposed to mentor the young ones.

We live in a time where the Nigerian youths are constantly asking for more posts in government and demanding to rule. Now, If the youths have their way and get into power, don't you think the country would suffer from their youthful exuberances and inexperience without the wisdom of godfathers to guide them?

thank you sir, if godfatherism is eliminated, leaders would be elected based on track records and proven integrity. therefore such leaders would seek advice from senior citizens not because they are obligated to, but because they see the need to. so in this case, leaders would work with senior citizens, wealthy and influential or not, rather than working for them as the case is.

obiZEAL:



We clamour for the removal of Godfatherism, and we propose that it is replaced with track records and credibility...the youth with they clearest history of excellence should be elected and not the youth with the most influential Godfather.

Yes, your point is well taken, but I think you have not answered the question.
Track records cannot replace experience at the highest level. If we eliminate godfatherism and we vote in youths all round, wont we suffer from their inevitable youthful exuberance without the guiding hands and experience of the godfathers to rely on?

Abuklaw:
Thanks for this question. what happened between Awolowo and Akintola was a clash of ideology and interest. Awolowo and his people in AG are more conservative while Akintola aligned with policies of NPC at the detriment of his party. This is vivid because Akintola eventually dumped AG to create another party. The reason why Awolowo's name resonate more than of Akintola among the yorubas can be attributed to selfless service and integrity of Awolowo. Awolowo didn't demand a pound of flesh from Akintola. His request was just for Akintola to use the ideology of the party that out him into power not that opposition. Was he wrong for doing that.

To win election in the south-west, you stand a better chance when you align with Awolowo not Akintola. Ideological godfatherism practised then led to significance development achieved during Awolowo's era. I hope you would agree with me that Awolowo played the role checking the excess of Akintola anti party activities not demanding for selfish interest.

Very good answer. However, many scholars opine that Awolowo having moved to the center to contest elections still wanted to control the western region under Akintola as the premier, which is reminiscent of the type of godfathers we have today. It's like a former state governor who went to contest the presidential election and lost wanting to still control the state now under his protege. This led to the clash between their supporters and the infamous operation 'wetie'.

This was why I asked if Awolowo is not actually a bad example of godfatherism.

adeaks:


But don't we have elections in Nigeria? If the godfathers put up a candidate, are the people not supposed to vote for the other candidates if they do not want the godfathers' candidates to rule over them?

Will you then agree that based on your statement about Nigeria practicing democracy, the problem is fundamentally with our electoral system that allows candidates to be rigged in and not really with the godfathers?

I have said repeatedly, that Godfathers are very influential, and in any election the man with the most influence ( and most often with little credibility ) is likely to win, not only because the election was rigged in his favour, but because he was able to campaign by often unconventional means ( example by handing cash to electorates). I'm not refuting the reforming of our electoral institutions, but we should reform our institutions and extinguish Godfatherism simultaneously to obtain effective in leadership.

Make sense...



We are moving to the end of today's show...

obiZEAL:


I have said repeatedly, that Godfathers are very influential, and in any election the man with the most influence ( and most often with little credibility ) is likely to win, not only because the election was rigged in his favour, but because he was able to campaign by often unconventional means ( example by handing cash to electorates). I'm not refuting the reforming of our electoral institutions, but we should reform our institutions and extinguish Godfatherism simultaneously to obtain effective in leadership.

Good answer....well done.