Politics
‘Engage Media On Voters’ Mobilisation, Membership Drive’
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru in Plateau, has advised political parties to embrace the use of media, especially social media for voters’ mobilisation and membership drive, ahead of 2023 general elections.
NIPSS Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Chukwuemeka Udaya gave the advice at a workshop on Enhancing Political Parties Visibility in Social and Mainstream Media on Wednesday in Abuja.
Udaya, represented by NIPSS Director of Research, Prof. Pam Dung Sha, described the media, both conventional and social as important instrument for parties in recruiting members and for sharing ideas of national and international importance.
He advised that ahead of 2023 elections, for political parties to cover more ground for mobilisation and engagement of electorate with less resources, they needed to use the media.
He said that only a few political parties were taking advantages of social media in spite of its enormous opportunities for election strategies and voters’ mobilisation in the country.
“It is a truism that the dynamic nature of information communication technology in the global space has brought about a paradigm shift in nearly every facet of human endeavour, and the political process is no exception to this development.
“The media has become a strategic choice of communication for political engagement globally, most especially during election campaigns.
“The role which social media played during the 2015 and 2019 General Elections in Nigeria was remarkable.
“Evidence from baseline studies by the political parties’ leadership and policy development centre of NIPSS in 2018 indicated that most political parties in Nigeria were not very effective in the use of social and mainstream media to enhance their visibility.
“This indeed deprived and are still depriving them of the great opportunity to recruit members as well as adequately engage with the electorates on critical issues of governance and national development.
He described the workshop as part of the ongoing activities by the NIPSS-PPLPDC under EU-SDGN to discuss and address the concern.
Udaya said that the workshop which was organised for national publicity secretaries and ICT/social media desk officers of political parties, was designed as part of efforts to strengthen political parties and the party system in the country.
“The workshop will equip participants with skills and knowledge on the development of content for a functional and interactive website; an effective and vibrant media management units as well as social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, among others.
“Overall, it will present an opportunity for national publicity secretaries and ICT/social media desk officers of political parties toenhance the visibility of their political parties in the mainstream and social media,” he said.
The National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Leonard Nzenwa, said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, media and security agencies played key roles on how elections were conducted in Nigeria.
He advised parties to be conscious of the fact that while the social media was easy to use and cost effective, it could also be misused especially for fake news.
Nzenwa said while both the social and mainstream media had their challenges, there was need for political parties to balance the usages and contents.
He advised parties to exploit the benefits of social media to sell their manifestos, mobilise voters’ support and things that would help them to win elections.
Nzenwa commended the organisers of the workshop, adding that it was a great opportunity that must be harnessed by political parties.
Senior Election Expert, with European Centre for Electoral Support, Dr Ishiaka Yahaya, said while speaking with newsmen that the workshop was to expose political parties officers to the benefits of using the social media to project their activities and programmes.
“The world is fast changing. We are moving away from traditional media to social media and the political parties which are trying to mobilise members cannot afford to neglect this innprojecting their activities and programmes.”
The Workshop was organised by Political Parties’ Leadership and Policy Development Centre, in collaboration with European Centre for Electoral Suppor, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism and BBC Media Action.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.