Institutional Dynamics of Patronage, Godfatherism, and Executive-Legislative Conflicts in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Abstract

This paper examines the complex interplay of patronage, godfatherism, and executive-legislative conflicts in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Specifically, it explores how these dynamics shape the distribution of political power, influence decision-making processes, and affect administrative effectiveness. The study adopts an in-depth review method that combines systematic literature analysis with thematic synthesis to explore the institutional dynamics of patronage, godfatherism, and executive-legislative conflicts in Nigeria since inception of this republic. The review method is qualitative in nature and relies on secondary data sourced from credible government documents and the extant literature. The findings revealed that the interplay between patronage politics, godfatherism, and executive-legislative conflicts creates a complex web of challenges that significantly hinder institutional performance in Nigeria. These dynamics do not operate in isolation; instead, they reinforce one another, perpetuating a governance system where personal loyalty, political allegiance, and elite interests take precedence over national development goals and institutional efficiency. The paper proposes deliberate and actionable reforms that strengthen institutional independence and promote mechanism for intra-branch collaboration, while also dismantling the political structures that sustain patronage and godfatherism. Only through such efforts can Nigeria build a resilient public sector capable of advancing national development goals