Since the advent of the present democratic dispensation in May 29th 1999, Nigerians and the political class have come to terms with godfatherism in the Nigeria Political space. Across the 36 states of the federation, almost all the elected governors in 1999, 2003 and 2007 have their godfathers who bankrolled their election. Members of the National Assembly, states Assembly and local Government Chairmen are not left out in godfatherism. Without a godfather, an aspirant can not win the party ticket; talk less of winning the general election.

What an aspirant needs to get into any elected office of his desire is a powerful godfather who is a law unto himself. Godfatherism started in Nigeria as far back as 1954 when politicians such as Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Tafawa Balewa, the Okpara, to mention but a few, held sways the political landscape of Nigeria. All what the aspirant needs then is to become one of the Political Son of the big masquerades in the political climate of the godfather and he/she gets elected or appointed into any political office.

That was the situation in the First and Second Republics in Nigeria .. Godfathers were not political merchants but leaders of their people and their political parties until the collapse of the Second Republic .

The Third Republic was short lived and there was no visible presence of the godfather because of the present of the military in the system.
But the story of the godfatherism in the Fourth Republic in Nigeria since 1999 is a different ball game. The godfathers see politics as an extension of their business empire. They become political merchandise over night, holding their political sons to ransom.

The case of Anambra state since 1999 when the political godfather, Sir Emeka Offor held the then governor, Dr. Chinwoke Mabadinuju to ransom that led to the non payment of salaries of teachers and civil servants for more than one year. This resulted in the closure of schools in the state for one year as a result of the teachers strike. In 2003, Dr. Chris Ngigie emerged the Governor of the same state through the help of his godfather, Chief Chris Uba who held the Governor to ransom for more than two years because the political son refused to play according to the agreement.

The whole spectacle that went on in Anambra state in that period is still fresh in our memories. The case of Oyo state, where Late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, the grandfather of amala politics became an emperor and a law unto himself made Nigeria politics and democracy a laughing stock. Kwara, Imo, Plateau, Kano , Brono, Enugu , Edo and many states were not left out of the nefarious activities of godfathers.
Since 2007 election and handover in May 29, 2007, we have witnessed a game of chess and a war of supremacy between the political sons and their godfathers.

But, the subject matter here is Alhaji Dahiru Mangal an icon, a multi-billionaire businessman and philanthropy to the core who saw godfatherism in politics as an extension of his philanthropy organization. Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, 51 years old is the Chairman and M.D Mangal Airline, AFDIN Construction Company Nigeria Ltd, Manasawa Oil, Mangal Oil, Manasawa Enterprises, a Clearing and Forwarding outfit, a transport Company and a Security outfit with more than 2000 staff.
In 1999, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal was instrumental to the emergency of Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua as the Governor of Katsina state and his re-election in 2003.

In 2007 election, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal repeated that feet again and ensured that Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua took over from Chief Obasanjo as Nigeria next President, a feat he achieved. He did not only stop at that, he ensured the emergence of the present Governor of Katsina State, Senators, House of Representative Members, State Assembly members, local government Chairmen and Councilors. Not only in his native Katsina state alone, his godfatherism covers many states in the north like Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Sokoto and many other states in the north.

Despite these achievements as a political godfather, Alhaji Mangal does not want to be seen or heard. He loves to operate from the background. He doesn’t like publicity.

Since 1999, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal has not had any quarrel or misunderstanding with any of his political sons including the President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua because he saw political godfatherism as philanthropy and embraces it because he love to give and help the poor and those who are in deer need of help. He never asked any of his political sons for returns, neither has he asked for “ten percent” of the security votes nor asked to nominate a candidate for any political office as in the case of other political godfathers who will ask for a shareof the security vote of their political son, demand to be given commissioners for finance works and Attorney General of the state.

His Construction Company, AFDIN can be compared to any of the giants in the Construction Industry like Julius Berger. If his company bids for works like any other company and whoever wins the contract, he makes sure that the standard of work done can be compared with that done by the giants and he makes sure that the works are delivered on time as scheduled.

You can go to Katsina state and other states in the north and Abuja to have a look at the quality and standard of works done by his company both in building, road and bridge construction. Some of the Primary and Secondary schools building in Katsina state which the former President Olusegun Obasanjo took as a model for Primary and Secondary schools in Nigeria before he left office are an example.

Some of the buildings and roads in the Katsina State Islamic University is another case in point.
His Airline, Mangal Airline is one of the Airlines in Nigeria that lift pilgrimage to the cities of Saudi without hitches. Chairman of the Airline, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal is a man that hates to swim in controversy. In the 2006 Hajj operation when the pilgrimage from Katsina state were about to be stranded, he used his links to get $1 million US dollars loan for the Katsina state government to pay deposit to the Airline Company that lift the Katsina pilgrims and he used his connection with the Saudi authorities to get the country to allow the plane carrying Katsina pilgrims to land even after the Airport had been closed.

What a wonderful and an acceptable godfather!
Since 1999, godfathers in politics want to destroy Nigeria democracy but Alhaji Dahiru Mangal has shown that after all godfathers can be of noble intentions.

Alhaji Dahiru Mangal has set an example and a standard for godfathers to emulate. In the present government of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Alhaji Mangal is the most powerful and influential politician, yet he likes to operate from the background. He doesn’t want to be heard or seen.
Alhaji Mangal deserves a national honour from the President because he is the next MKO Abiola of our time as far as philanthropy is concerned, lover of the poor and the masses.
A humble and gentle rich man who rose from rags to riches, Alhaji Mangal does not go in a convoy. He also does not permit retinue of policemen.

He drives himself where ever he goes because he is at home with the masses. He has no political thugs and he uses his personal goodwill with the electorate to deliver his political sons.
Alhaji Barau Mangal is the face of an acceptable godfather in Nigeria politic today.

Oluwuihe writes from Kano.