Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, former presidential aspirant under the Labour Party and founder of the Rescue Movement for a New Nigeria, has sounded a strong warning over what he described as a silent and dangerous hijack of Nigeria’s democratic system by unelected political godfathers.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, Faduri decried the increasing stranglehold of powerful individuals who, though outside the official political structure, wield enormous influence over elected officeholders and state institutions.
According to Faduri, these so-called political kingmakers operate in the shadows, manipulating the democratic process, subverting constitutional authority, and imposing their will on the people.
“These individuals are not elected by the populace, yet they are feared, obeyed, and consulted more than the Constitution itself,” he stated. “They are the architects of systemic corruption and the unseen forces destabilising the future of our nation.”
Faduri painted a bleak portrait of godfatherism in Nigeria, citing several high-profile examples across the country that illustrate how entrenched political interference has compromised governance.
He pointed to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State as a glaring case where the rift between former governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has escalated into a constitutional standoff — a crisis Faduri attributes to Wike’s alleged refusal to relinquish political control.
In Lagos State, he recalled how former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was denied a second term, allegedly for attempting to assert independence from political influence.
Meanwhile, his successor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is widely believed to remain under the shadow of the same political forces.
In Benue State, Faduri referenced the sustained political grip of George Akume over successive administrations, which he argues has impaired effective governance.
Similarly, in Kogi State, he criticised former Governor Yahaya Bello, who is under investigation for corruption, for allegedly continuing to control state affairs through his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
Faduri further accused these political strongmen of manipulating party affiliations for personal protection. “It’s not about political ideology anymore — it’s about immunity,” he said.
“They defect to the ruling party to escape accountability, while the judicial process becomes a commodity traded for loyalty. Justice is no longer blind; it has been bought and silenced.”
Warning that this unchecked rise of godfatherism threatens the core of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, Faduri asserted that the legislature, the judiciary, and even security agencies have increasingly become puppets of a few powerful individuals rather than instruments of the people’s will. “Our democracy is being auctioned to the highest bidder,” he lamented.
To confront this growing threat and restore democratic integrity, Faduri proposed a bold five-point reform agenda aimed at dismantling the culture of political godfatherism:
- Reform Political Parties – to ensure internal democracy and reduce the influence of money in candidate selection processes.
- Strengthen INEC and Security Agencies – to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections, free from external coercion.
- Rebuild the Judiciary – to uphold justice and independence from political interference.
- Raise Civic Awareness – to educate citizens on voting based on character, competence, and vision rather than bribes or coercion.
- Promote National Unity – to reject the use of ethnic and religious sentiments as tools of division and control.
Faduri warned that the same political godfathers who undermined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are now exerting influence within the All Progressives Congress (APC), and may soon infiltrate the Labour Party as well if urgent steps are not taken. “They destroyed PDP, now control APC, and tomorrow, they may hijack the Labour Party too — unless Nigerians take a stand,” he said.
Issuing a rallying cry to citizens both within Nigeria and across the diaspora, Faduri urged Nigerians to unite under the banner of the Rescue Movement for a New Nigeria.
“This fight is not just for Abuja or Lagos — it is for every Nigerian, whether you are in Kaduna or California, Maiduguri or Manchester. The time to rise, resist, and reclaim our future is now. The rescue mission begins with each of us,” he declared.
Faduri Oluwadare Joseph reasserts himself as a leading voice in the movement for democratic reform, civic renewal, and political emancipation in Nigeria.
His call signals a critical moment of awakening for a generation weary of political manipulation and eager for a future anchored in transparency, justice, and true democratic governance.