Lagos Council Polls: Voter Education and Social Media -By Reuben Omotayo Hopo

As the tenure of the current executive chairmen and councillors in the twenty Local Governments and thirty-seven Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State is heading to an end by 2025, members of different political parties in the State seem to be united on one thing. The accord is to hold the next general elections to elect another set of council chairmen and councillors who would run the grassroots’ affairs in the State.

However, since one of the principles of democracy emphasizes voter education to bring about an informed electorate. Otherwise, democracy would be at the brink of collapse and would eventually fail the populace. Then, the utmost importance of this publication is to sensitize members of the public about how to elect their next council chairman within a Local Government Area as chairmanship aspirants discuss issues with members of the public on social media.

Constitutionally, before a new political dispensation at the grassroots can be  effective, the State’s electoral body, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) must make an official pronouncement about the conduct of the next general elections into the various Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, including the guidelines for political parties and their candidates. The pronouncement validates all desires to vote and be voted for, including the need to sponsor candidates by political parties.

Now that the political parties anxiously await LASIEC’s announcement, chairmanship aspirants are already warming up with electioneering, engaging the people, selling their visions, and appealing for support ahead of political campaigns. Electioneering is the initial stage of letting the people know about one’s ambition, vision, and more importantly, the manifesto has a lot to say about an aspirant’s reputation. It indicates the state of preparedness of the aspirant. The period also allows some of the people, especially stakeholders and opinion leaders to determine the saleability or otherwise of an aspirant vying for political office.

The impact of social media leveraged by the internet has opened up a new vista for countless people to sit in their comfort zones and watch different aspirants speaking and communicating their intention to the public. Members of the public absolutely must use the same channels to prune down the appeals send across by these aspirants as they seek people’s support to vie for public office. The reality of doing that gives credibility that everyone cannot be bought cheaply. Regrettably, there are people across communities who harboured a primitive mentality to request money from aspirants before they could give them their support and vote. Notwithstanding this vice, access to the internet coupled with the use of smartphones is making more participation on social media attractive. For instance, those jostling to become the next executive chairman on a daily basis post their contents on different whatsapp groups to get across more people in their respective LGAs.

According to data from the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), the total figure of social media users as of January 2024 was put at 36.75 million. The figure represented 16:2 percent of the total population of the country. However, between February and now, there is no doubt that the trend to be on social media is alarming, as it is now the easiest way to share and consume public information generally. The internet revolution is also increasing people’s flair to access online community radio and television.

The existence of technology and the internet have inescapably placed greater responsibilities on the quality of information and communication that each aspirant would have to share on social media, as he or she grants interviews to discuss his or her programmes with the public including other things that each of them do on social media and through their proxies. Similarly, the present economic realities of the country demand thorough expression of a sound knowledge about realities. While, how to navigate the complex situations must be taken seriously as the opium beyond academics by the public if we must enjoy the benefits of democracy after this transition. I want to believe that we dare to raise the bar now than ever before.

Therefore, in the wake of the current transition, we are already seeing the faces of some of the chairmanship aspirants as they go about their electioneering before the start of political campaigns. The tasks ahead of everyone, either as individuals or politicians are: How well do you identify the qualities of each aspirant from the others beyond the mere familiarities? Do you understand what your obligations are in democracy? As individuals, can you prove that you are truly informed? To what extent are you ready to contribute your quota today, towards a better society tomorrow? Or you are the type that is not bothered about your chairmanship aspirant been credible to understand specific socio-political, and economic issues of his or her environment. Now, how do you determine his or her relevance if eventually, he or she emerges and is sworn-in into office? Do you know that you must pay a price before democracy can survive in your local government area? How well is each aspirant communicating knowledge of the environment? Can you beat your chest that he or she is communicating leadership?

Doing justice to these few questions and more, perhaps expose the individuals contesting for chairmanship election to an integrity test. As time goes on, the summary will either affirms or produces a doubt on the reputation that each aspirant conveys across the public as they continue electioneering. To define reputation, “The way you are perceived gives the reputation you carry in the hearts of people” — NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku. For example, in today’s democracy, it is not enough when aspirants address the public that they would dualize roads, build primary health centres, schools or to be simply disposed to people enjoying festive periods without recourse to how priorities are set up in the twenty-first-century-economy.

Finally, it is good for members of the public to shun “cash and carry democracy.” Same thing holds for political parties. Rather, reputation should be pivotal to everyone because “the end shall justify the means” after the contest. As a reader of this publication, one thing is certain: when you dupe an aspirant, when he gets into office, he or she will also swindle your federal allocations. So, you need to be wise. Let’s defend democracy to develop our communities together. The more we do, the better for all of us. Nevertheless, get orientation! Be informed! Get to know who and who are credible in your area! Separate democracy from clannishness! You now gets be conscious of what you do as a person for our tomorrow, today.

Reuben Omotayo Hopo, Anipr
Public Affairs Commentator and Brand Strategist writes from Badagry, Lagos State. He can be reached on reubenhopo619@gmail.com