The Crisis in Rivers State: A Reflection of a Deeper Political Disease

The ongoing political drama in Rivers State is another chapter in Nigeria’s long, unfortunate history of godfatherism, the idea that a single individual or a small group can anoint leaders and dictate the course of governance. At its core, this is not just a battle of egos between a former governor and his successor. It is a battle for control, a struggle to wield influence over the governance of a State, and a stark reminder of how our democracy continues to be held hostage by a few powerful actors.

But beyond the spectacle, beyond the noise of who is supporting whom, we need to ask ourselves the bigger question: what does this mean for the future of governance in Nigeria?

A Culture of Subservience, Not Leadership

What we are witnessing in Rivers State is not unique. It simply reflects a dangerous political culture that has been entrenched for decades. A culture where those who hold power are not necessarily accountable to the people who elected them but to the political godfathers who placed them there.

This is the deeper issue. Our democracy is being subverted from within. Leadership quality is not determined by competence, vision, or service to the people but by loyalty to political benefactors. And when that loyalty is perceived to wane, we see chaos, attempted impeachments, political infighting, and governance grinding to a halt.

What Are We Normalising?

Every time we accept this as normal, we further entrench the cycle. We send a message that the people’s votes do not matter, that elections are mere formalities and that real power lies in the hands of political kingmakers rather than the electorate.

The implications are severe:

• It erodes public trust in democracy, increasing voter apathy.
• It reduces accountability, as leaders serve their godfathers rather than the people.
• It stifles independent governance, making policy decisions about patronage rather than public good.

When one person or a group can dictate governance outcomes without holding elected office, we must ask ourselves: are we truly a democracy, or have we become a feudal state where power is inherited rather than earned?

 

Is a Former Governor Still in Control?

The move to impeach the sitting governor is already underway, raising a critical question: why does a former governor still have such sway over a state after leaving office? Should a leader’s influence extend beyond their tenure, or should governance be determined by the will of the people? This ongoing struggle exposes the weaknesses in Nigeria’s political structure, where control is rarely relinquished even when official positions change hands.

Not an Endorsement of Either Side

This is not an attempt to absolve or support the actions taken by the current governor in this tussle. The focus here is on the more significant issue at play, the fact that Nigeria loses when the system of godfatherism is entrenched. Regardless of who is right or wrong in this immediate conflict, the real loser is the people of Rivers State, whose governance is held hostage by a battle of influence rather than service delivery.

Breaking the Cycle

This is where the conversation needs to shift. Rather than debating who has more political influence in Rivers State, we should ask how we dismantle this system. How do we create a political culture where leaders are accountable to the people, not their benefactors?

1. Strengthening Electoral Integrity – The foundation of democracy is free and fair elections. The cycle will continue until votes count and people believe their choices matter.
2. Independent Institutions – A legislature that political interests can manipulate is a weak one. State assemblies and other institutions must be independent enough to resist undue influence.
3. Citizen-Led Accountability – The people must reclaim their role as the ultimate decision-makers. Politicians must be reminded that they are in office to serve, not to settle political debts.

The Real Question

At the heart of all this is one fundamental question: when will Nigerians say enough is enough? When will we collectively reject a system that allows a few to dictate the lives of millions? When will we insist that our leaders are chosen based on merit, not allegiance?

It is not enough to lament. It is not enough to watch from the sidelines. We must engage. We must demand change. Most importantly, we must remember that the power these individuals wield is not theirs; it belongs to us, the people.

Until we recognise that and act upon it, the battle in Rivers State will not be the last of its kind. It will simply be a preview of what lies ahead for Nigeria’s political future.