Godfatherism is a means through which the leadership of political parties is imposing the surrogate candidates into political positions for the purpose of serving interest on their behalf. Godfatherism and internal democracy in Edo State end up in rift to suspension, political conflict to defections, violence to civil unrest and litigations in the courts of law which have negative impact on infrastructural development. The study examines an assessment of godfatherism and internal democracy in Edo State. The target area of the study includes State Party Executive of All Progressive Congress (APC) and (PDP), Local Government Executive APC and PDP, Electorates APC and PDP, INEC, Academias and Civil Society. The study adopted analytical and descriptive research types and the study used primary and secondary sources of gathered data. The objective of the study is to examine the factors that contributed to the trend of godfatherism in Edo State. Findings revealed that, godsons' preference for political survival above administration has a detrimental effect on public services and infrastructure. It also revealed that political parties' financial limitations encourage corruption, erode internal democracy. Therefore, the study recommended that, electioneering campaigning funds should come directly from consolidated funds established by federal government; political parties in Edo State should implement transparent and democratic systems in candidate selection to eliminate the power of godfathers and the state government and relevant stake holders should develop long-term strategies for sustainable infrastructure development in Edo State. Keywords: Edo State, Godfatherism, Internal Democracy and Nigeria.
A 2025 study studied this question.