×

Social Media Will Reshape Nigerian Politics In 2014/2015 – Ahmed

A Political Social Commentator, Mustapha Ahmed, has emphasized the expected role of Social Media in Nigerian politics and the elections in 2014 and 2015. Ahmed … Continue reading Social Media Will Reshape Nigerian Politics In 2014/2015 – Ahmed


A Political Social Commentator, Mustapha Ahmed, has emphasized the expected role of Social Media in Nigerian politics and the elections in 2014 and 2015.

Ahmed who was a guest of Rubbin’ Minds on Channels Television, where he expressed his optimism that Nigerians are more aware of the power of the internet and would use it to their advantage as the country enters into a year of heavy political activities.

He said that Twitter was revolutionary in politics in Nigeria during the year 2013 and with so many ideas that people are pushing out every day; it will play an even greater role in the polity in 2014.

According to him, what President Goodluck Jonathan did on Facebook during his 2011 election campaign was a media stunt that worked for him but that people will not buy it this time, as the web has become more powerful, with the people more aware, that in 2011, not many people were part of the vibrancy of the social media. He particularly claimed that what was witnessed in 2011 would be considered minute compared to how massive the year 2014 would be.

He cited the rise in the number of people with access to mobile technology, especially with the number of smartphone users having exploded from 2011 to the present year; 2014.

He added that Nigerians are now aware that they can post election results from the comfort of their polling units from various platforms/apps on their mobile phones.  He also cited the availability of affordable Android phones as a major factor that will make Nigerians of different classes to be involved in the politics of 2014/2015.

Speaking about his expectations from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Ahmed referred to the Anambra election as the “litmus test” for the commission, an election which they failed to conduct properly. He stressed that INEC has “to change something” for the commission to record  successes in the New Year.

He cited the voter registration process as a key area of the electoral process that must be worked on to be more reliable as the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states approach.

He however expressed his worry that despite the fact that Anambra is a small state, the election turned out to be a disappointment, yet Ekiti and Osun states would be more challenging for the INEC.

“They have to get their acts together and they have these two elections to prove to us that Anambra was just a blip”.

The state of insecurity in Borno and Yobe states also came to the fore, with Emergency Rule still in effect in both states, owing to the deadly activities of Boko Haram insurgents.

Ahmed admitted that with the current situation, election in the affected states would be highly difficult. He however stated that the time between January and the election is long enough for normalcy to return, considering the efforts of the Federal Government to stem the crisis.

Ahmed said “I want to believe that the President has put so much into curbing the crisis, and I hope he succeeds”. He also added: “You cannot disenfranchise the two states and call it a General Election, it doesn’t work that way.”

 

PDP vs. APC

While stating his lack of faith in the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Ahmed declared, “I believe that the ruling party, the PDP is slightly beyond redemption”.

According to him, although the PDP had been known for its many internal crisis, it had never been as bad as what was witnessed in 2013, with governors and federal lawmakers defecting to the opposition.

He added that sacrificing its National President, Bamanga Tukur would not sort their problems, as it is too late. He said that they could have nipped the trouble in the bud but they left it too late.

He however warned that it would be a mistake to think that all was well with the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, or to believe that the PDP crisis and many defections are all to their gain.

He noted that the new APC members are made up of power players from the PDP who are used to holding primaries for the selection of candidates. He feared that it would be a miracle if the APC was able to work that out without interests clashing.

Reminding that the founding parties of the APC are not a used to the politics of holding primary elections, he warned that finding candidates that would be acceptable to the majority would be a major challenge.

Although, he commended the party for what he termed as a smart decision, having delayed the registration of members, which he says would ensure that members do not claim seniority and there is no hierarchy within the party, he advised that they may have to go the way of conducting the primaries to satisfy everyone.

Ahmed predicted that some politicians would still go back to the PDP.

He also posited that it would be a loss to the opposition, APC, if President Jonathan does not run for a second term in 2015. He said: “If PDP gets GEJ not to contest, it will be trouble for the APC”, owing that majority of the APC’s arguments has been about the weakness of the Presidency not the PDP.

He however stated that the President’s body language shows that he wants to run for a second term. He also predicted that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, would join other PDP defectors to declare for the APC.