Jonathan Speaks On Godfatherism In Politics

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerian politicians against godfatherism and the imposition of candidates on political parties.

Speaking when he hosted Senator Philip Gyunka at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday, the former President said the imposition of candidates is the major reason most elections are lost in the country.

He urged political godfathers to yield to people’s yearning in preparation for 2019 and steer clear of anti-party activities.

Jonathan said he is not against having godfathers but noted that they should not be “clogs in the wheel of progress.”

“I have no problem with the issue of godfathers because as a Christian if you are taking a child for baptism, there is this concept of godfather or godmother,” he said.

“These are people that are supposed to help mentor the children and give advice from time to time. Godfather should not be used negatively.

“For example, if you come from a community that participates actively in wrestling with neighbouring communities and you know your son cannot wrestle, you cannot send him.

“Even in politics, if you have a son or anybody and you know the person cannot lead the party to victory, and you are sending the person because you are hoping for something, then you do not like the party.

“If you like the party, you will ask your son to work with the person that you believe can win elections.

“We lost most of these elections because of this issue of imposition of people that are not acceptable to the public.”