International records / OpenAlex research

Godfatherism, Weaponization of State Institutions, and the Pursuit of Political Goals in Nigeria

This article examines the interconnections between godfatherism, the weaponization of state institutions, and the achievement of political goals in Nigeria’s democratic landscape. Godfatherism, understood as a system of patron-client relationships in which influential political actors sponsor and control candidates, has become a defining feature of Nigerian politics. The study argues that this phenomenon significantly contributes to the manipulation and instrumental use of state institutions including the judiciary, electoral bodies, security agencies, and anti-corruption institutions for part…