Power Intoxication or Democratic Deficit? A Critical Analysis of Political Tenacity, Godfatherism, and Social Justice in Contemporary Governance

This article interrogates the persistence of political tenacity in Nigeria and other developing nations, where politicians often cling to power through prolonged tenures, godfatherism, dynastic succession, and recycling of political elites. Such practices, described as “power intoxication,” undermine democracy, fairness, and social justice by framing political office as personal entitlement rather than stewardship for the common good. Anchored in stewardship theory and political economy perspectives, the paper highlights the dangers of governance driven by self-interest instead of responsibility to citizens and posterity. Drawing comparisons with developed democracies such as Germany and other European states where leadership accountability, voluntary resignations, and robust institutions strengthen democratic resilience the article underscores the reforms needed to address entrenched incumbency. It concludes by proposing political structural engineering, institutional strengthening, and social accountability mechanisms as essential pathways to fairness, transparency, and sustainable development in African governance.