Social media is important tool for political leverage, says Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi
The Chairperson Planning Committee of Penpushing Media 4th anniversary lecture, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi has identified the relevance of social media as important tool for political leveraging and political activism
Penpushing reports that, Akiyode-Afolabi made this observation while delivering a welcome address at the annual lecture of Penpushing media held at Marque events centre of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, stressing that it has recently served as diva of political debate.
‘Social media has become a very important tool for political leveraging while it is yet to entirely replace the traditional media as the major tool of political activism it has recently served as diva of political debate’, she said.
The former President of Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) pointed out that, existing data confirms that there are 33 million social media users in Nigeria as at January 2021 with cell phone access figure of over 48 per cent and internet access of 36 per cent.
Penpushing further reports that, she explained that Nigeria’s social media concentration is about 40 per cent of the population, amounting to almost 90 million people, adding that, comparing this figure with the number of registered voter population in the country put at 89 million as of 2021, this explains the importance of this tool for security balance and elections accountability.
‘Existing data confirms that there are Thirty Three (33) million social media users in Nigeria as at January 2021 with cell phone access figure of over 48 per cent and internet access of 36 per cent. Nigeria’s social media concentration is about 40 per cent of the population, amounting to almost 90 million people’, she emphaised.
‘Comparing this figure with the number of registered voter population in the country put at 89 million as of 2021. This explains the importance of this tool for security balance and elections accountability. I can confidently say that social media can be a catalyst for democracy and a barrier to authoritarianism if properly used’, Akiyode-Afolabi stressed.
Penpushing also reports that, the legal practitioner said, public comments and research have shown that government has become uncomfortable with the thread of the use of social media and based on what they called abuse of the platforms.
The Chairperson of the planning committee, however, pointed out government institutions are attempting to tame the effect of social media to prevent its propensity to ignite an already polarised country like Nigeria.
‘In a democratic society, over-regulation is seen as a threat to free speech. The attempts at social media regulation hinged on national security are counterproductive and, if actualized, will close up civic ‘, she posited.
Penpushing reports that, she explained that, the aim of the lecture was to use unconventional means to provide a road map for Nigeria, assuring that the outcome of the event will be passed on to policy makers at state and national level.
The renowned legal practitioner said, Penpushing media will come out with the view of establishing processes that the government can follow in developing a comprehensive system of regulation for social media without infringing on the rights of its citizens and obstruct free speech.
‘Our aim is to use unconventional means to provide a road map for Nigeria, the outcome of today’s event will be passed on to our policy makers at state and national level. In light of the above, we look forward to deliberations and outcomes on today’s dialogue on social media: Insecurity and election accountability in Nigeria with the view of establishing processes that the government can follow in developing a comprehensive system of regulation for social media without infringing on the rights of its citizens and obstruct free speech.
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