By Bilesanmi Abayomi
In Nigeria’s vibrant but complex political landscape, kingmakers—popularly dubbed “Baba Sope” in Yoruba, meaning “father has said”—occupy a powerful and often controversial role. These individuals or groups, while not always elected or constitutionally recognized, wield significant influence in determining who ascends to political office at the local, state, and national levels.
From pre-colonial traditional rulers to modern-day political godfathers, kingmakers have long shaped Nigeria’s leadership trajectory—selecting, installing, and at times even controlling those in power. But as Nigeria’s democracy matures, so does the tension between the stabilizing benefits of kingmaking and its corrosive effects on democratic ideals.
Who Are Nigeria’s Political Kingmakers?
Political kingmakers in Nigeria are the behind-the-scenes power brokers: ex-governors, party chieftains, billionaire financiers, traditional rulers, or veteran political strategists. Their endorsement is often the political golden ticket—determining who gets nominated, supported, and ultimately elected.
In many states, elections are less about popular votes and more about elite blessings. The “Baba Sope” stamp is perceived as the decisive nod—sometimes rendering primary elections mere formalities.
The Upside: What Kingmakers Offer
Despite the controversy, kingmakers offer certain political utilities, including:
- Stability and Continuity
In moments of internal party chaos, kingmakers often play the role of peacemakers. Their intervention can reduce factional clashes, resolve leadership tussles, and facilitate smoother candidate selection.
- Mentorship and Political Grooming
Some kingmakers nurture emerging politicians, offering strategic guidance, helping them avoid pitfalls, and teaching them the intricacies of political navigation.
- Resource Mobilization
Campaigns require money, networks, and grassroots support—resources kingmakers are often well-placed to provide. Their reach spans from media to market associations, traditional institutions, and influential gatekeepers.
- Political Strategy
Having weathered several political storms, kingmakers often bring tested strategies, negotiation clout, and long-term thinking to bear on political planning and power consolidation.
The Downside: The Undemocratic Cost
However, the Baba Sope model comes with serious democratic drawbacks:
- Erosion of Democratic Ideals
By centralizing candidate selection in private, often unaccountable hands, kingmaking undermines participatory democracy. The will of the people is frequently sidelined in favor of elite consensus.
- Loyalty Over Accountability
Leaders installed by kingmakers may feel beholden to their sponsors—not the citizens. This loyalty often translates to poor governance, impunity, and misaligned priorities.
- Blocked Meritocracy
Competent candidates are frequently blocked in favor of loyalists, cronies, or political ‘investments.’ This dilutes the quality of leadership and perpetuates mediocrity.
- Power Tussles and Instability
When protégés attempt independence or deviate from their sponsor’s agenda, clashes often erupt—leading to impeachment threats, political defections, or outright violence.
Can the Kingmaker Model Survive Nigeria’s Democratic Evolution?
The endurance of kingmaking in Nigeria depends on several factors. While rising political awareness, youth participation, and electoral reforms are gradually challenging their dominance, kingmakers continue to thrive—especially in rural and semi-urban settings where traditional authority and elite influence still hold sway.
Moreover, the lack of internal democracy in political parties creates a vacuum that kingmakers readily fill. Until parties open up candidate selection processes and prioritize transparency, kingmakers will remain an enduring feature of Nigeria’s political script.
Balancing Influence with Democracy
The Baba Sope tradition of kingmaking is a paradox—part stabilizer, part saboteur. It can help unify fractured systems but also silence the electorate. It can guide the politically inexperienced but also stifle genuine competition.
For Nigeria to deepen its democracy, the country must find a middle ground—acknowledging the role of political influencers without allowing them to override the voice of the people. The future must prioritize open primaries, party democracy, and civic education that empowers citizens to ask: Who really chose our leaders—us or “Baba Sope”?