Let Governors Govern: Breaking the Cycle of Loyalty Politics in Nigeria
By Matthew Eloyi
One of the most persistent yet under-discussed problems in Nigeria’s democratic journey is the culture of former governors expecting continued loyalty and influence from their successors. Across many states, outgoing leaders often seek to install preferred successors and then maintain a firm grip on power from behind the scenes. This practice, commonly associated with political godfatherism, weakens democratic institutions, distorts governance, and ultimately betrays the spirit of constitutional leadership.
Nigeria’s democracy is built on the principle that power is temporary and derives from the people. Governors are elected to serve defined terms, not to create enduring personal empires. Yet in practice, political succession in several states has resembled a relay race in which the baton is handed over with invisible strings attached. Former governors frequently expect successors to preserve their political networks, protect their interests, and consult them on major decisions. When successors attempt to assert independence, conflicts erupt, governance suffers, and the public becomes the casualty.
This culture has consequences that extend beyond personal rivalries. When a sitting governor is constrained by the expectations of a predecessor, decision-making becomes compromised. Policies may be shaped not by public interest or sound judgment but by the need to maintain political alliances. Innovation is stifled, reform is delayed, and urgent state priorities risk being subordinated to private political arrangements. Citizens who voted for a new administration expecting fresh ideas and direction instead witness a continuation of shadow control.
Moreover, the expectation of loyalty erodes accountability. A governor must answer to the electorate, the constitution, and the institutions of state, not to a former officeholder. When power is informally shared with a predecessor, it becomes difficult to determine who bears responsibility for successes and failures. This ambiguity weakens democratic oversight and fuels public cynicism about politics as a closed circle of elite bargaining rather than a system of service.
Former governors must recognize that true leadership includes knowing when to step aside. Their legacy should be measured not by their ability to influence events after leaving office but by the strength of the institutions they helped build and the democratic norms they respected. Statesmanship requires the discipline to mentor from a distance, to offer advice only when invited, and to trust the electorate’s choice. Nigeria needs former leaders who model graceful exits and demonstrate that political relevance does not require perpetual control.
At the same time, current governors must resist the temptation to replicate the same cycle. The urge to secure loyalty from future successors is understandable in a political environment shaped by uncertainty, but it is ultimately self-defeating. Governors should focus their tenure on strengthening governance structures that will outlive them. By prioritizing transparency, institutional independence, and inclusive leadership, they create a legacy that does not depend on personal loyalty for protection.
A mature democracy depends on the peaceful and genuine transfer of power. Each new administration should have the freedom to chart its course within the bounds of the constitution. Continuity in governance should come from strong institutions and sound policies, not from informal obligations to former officeholders. When successors govern independently, they are better positioned to respond to evolving challenges and to fulfill the mandates given to them by the people.
Nigeria’s democratic future will be shaped not only by elections but by how leaders behave after those elections are won. Former governors must allow their successors to govern without interference, and current governors must prepare to exit office without expecting allegiance in return. By breaking the cycle of expected loyalty, Nigeria can move closer to a political culture rooted in accountability, institutional strength, and respect for democratic transition.