Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on political leaders who denounce godfatherism publicly to demonstrate their opposition through personal conduct, insisting that credibility in tackling the practice must be matched with action.
Akpabio made the remarks on Saturday in Abuja during the launch of The Burdens of Legislators in Nigeria, a book authored by former Senator Effiong Bob, held at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Kado.
The event was chaired by former Senate President David Mark.
Responding to conversations around godfatherism at the gathering, the Senate President highlighted what he described as inconsistencies among some political figures.
“And then, of course, members of the House of Assembly also include the son of a distinguished senator. So when I heard that he was against godfatherism, I said, okay,” Akpabio said.
He continued, “Since you’re against godfatherism, maybe you’ll withdraw your son from the House of Assembly as a starting point of showing that you’re against godfatherism.”
Akpabio argued that it is contradictory for individuals to criticise godfatherism while appearing to benefit from it.
“You cannot be saying something on the left-hand side and practising it on the right. Otherwise, that will amount to approbating and reprobating,” he stated.
Despite the criticism, the Senate President acknowledged the performance of the lawmaker involved.
“But let the boy remain. He’s even doing his second term in the House. He’s on his second term, and he’s one of the leaders of the House of Assembly in himself,” he said.
