2023 ELECTION CAMPAIGN: OLOTU PREACH FOR PEACEFUL CAMPAIGN AND ESCHEW FROM VIOLENCE

We should not shift from core issues of governance to attacks of personalities

Slogan must not be abusive

Let's shun hate speech and misinformation*

As Political Parties commence Campaign fully today,  Hon. Emmanuel Olotu, the APC candidate, FKJ 02  insisted that the campaign as well as their spokesmen must run issue-based campaigns. 

Hon. Olotu regretted that elections in Nigeria have always been characterized by divisive messages.

He said: “The emergence of candidates for political parties and the appointment of media spokespersons has once again thrown up the question of how political messages should be crafted and delivered and the consequence of messaging for the broader polity. Since independence, elections in Nigeria have been characterised by polarising rhetoric and deep-seated divisions relating to ethnicity, religion and other primordial sentiments. These are well captured in the literature on elections and governance in Nigeria that show the damaging effects of negative campaigning over the years.

“Against this background and ahead of the commencement of campaigns, this forum assumes an even greater significance. The proliferation of the internet and social media platforms and the growing culture of fake news pose new dangerous and threats to our collective existence. Politicians at all levels must be cognisant of this and take measures to mitigate them.

He also appealed to the political actors to keep their campaign languages moderate, saying they must not be abusive.

“As we prepare to commence campaign activities today (statutorily for a period of 150 days before Polling day), it is critical that we familiarize ourselves with the rules of the game and set ourselves a basic standard of conduct mainly because of our place as leaders and weight that our utterances carry among our supporters and followers.

Political campaigning is an indispensable tool in the context of the electoral process in any democratic environment. This is primarily because they create a platform and an opportunity for political actors to reach out to the electorate and share their ideological and policy positions. They also shape citizens’ electoral choices and strengthen democracy by promoting accountability to the electorate.

“Despite these advantages, it is well known that campaigns can undermine democracy, particularly when they induce cynicism among the populace, undermine trust in government, decrease turnout and frustrate genuine attempts to engage the citizenry. Critics have raised significant concerns about recent developments in political communication, particularly because negative and personality-based ones are increasingly replacing informative, policy-focused campaigns. The lack of ‘substance’ in political debates means that voters are often confused and unable to make well-informed decisions. Some studies have shown that negative political communication and campaigns push people to stay away from politics altogether. 

“Hate speeches, misinformation and other ways of messages manipulating messages are apparent. We should be concerned that whatever message that will be sent must be relevant. Most Nigerians reside in grassroots, so grassroots mobilization should be taken very seriously. If we can use medium that can enable us reach those people in the grassroots, the advocacy will be more receptive and effective.

What I’ll never understand is why some supporters are so unfathomably insecure. You know, you can support your favourite candidate without being toxic or dishing out discriminatory hatred toward the rest. It is possible. No matter what happens in 2023, Nigeria will be fine. Hon. Olotu said.

He added that “What we hear ahead of the election is status report on age, health, religion of candidates and so on other mundane issues. We should chanel our energy to get the democracy to work to lift our people out of the vicious cycle of poverty and so on.”

Hon. Emmanuel Olotu implore the good people of Ifako Ijaiye Constituency 02 to avoid violence and campaign peacefully during the campaign period stipulated by the apex electoral body. He urge them to campaign and vote for APC from Top to Bottom

OLOTU FOR ASSEMBLY

ISE OLUWA NI

OLOTU FOR ASSEMBLY

O TI SURE JU

OLOTU FOR ASSEMBLY 

ALAUSA STRAIGHT

OM&P '23 TEAM