Propaganda, is defined as “information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.” In the Nigerian political sphere, it seems that we live for propaganda.

The newfound propaganda item, amongst our representatives, or public figures vying for office in 2015, is the claim that their candidacy forms are being fully or partially funded by youth groups, women groups, elders, or indigenes of the local government, constituency, senatorial district or state. The most recent stories have included young people who gave hundreds of thousands, to public figures or representatives, towards the purchase of their candidacy forms. The exaggerated and self-indulgent tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia that these stories breed, need not be mentioned. Alas, sentimentality is the bedrock of Nigerian elections. Our representatives know us, and they have learnt to manipulate our good will.

The standout issue, on these stories that fester sentiment, is one of authenticity. Our experience working to foster transparency in governance and accountability of our representatives over the last few years, including our work tracking constituency projects, has shown us the view from the other side - most constituencies are tired of their current leadership and need change. These constituencies complain of a near total absence of meaningful constituency projects, poor representation, inaccessible representatives, and an apathetic approach from their representatives towards legislature that could potentially enhance the constituency and the well-being of its members.

When a few weeks to the party primaries however, groups from these constituencies who have been largely shut out and uncared for, who have had poor representation and an inaccessible representative start clamouring for the very same representative to return, so much that they go out to purchase candidacy forms, you do not need to be a genius to see that this is propaganda. You do not need to be an expert in the political frameworks of Nigeria, to see that stomach infrastructure must have become involved.

One example we would like to particularly mention would be the case of the representative of the Isuikwuato/Umu-nneochi constituency of Abia State, which motivated us to put up this post. A news headline on AIT this morning announced that constituency members, young people and elders from the constituency purchased her form, and are clamouring to have her back as their representative in the Federal House of Representatives.

This contradicts every piece of information we have, from tracking constituency projects and work in this constituency. Women groups, Youth groups, Party caucuses and factions within the constituency are all mostly said to have fallen out with this representative, with certain groups having previously accused of her claiming their group community development projects, as her projects. Most of these groups have supposedly refused to meet with or deliberate with this representative, and have publicly expressed their disinterest, in her continued representation of the constituency.

This leaves the big question: Who is not being true to the people? Are the members of these groups throwing out misleading information about their relationship with the representative? Or have they changed their minds in the heat of election season? Or is it a propaganda headline, that claims that young people, women & elders of this constituency, are in support of the representative and have even mobilised to purchase her form?

At the time of publication of this item, we have been unable to reach members of staff of the Representative cited in our example for their comment on the news headline this morning. Our guess is that they will vehemently stand behind the headline, as they have a right to. We would really love for that headline to be genuine, seeing as it contradicts all the information we have from the said constituency.

This situation is not unique to this representative. It is one of many examples, of what we have seen over the last few weeks. A source close to one of our political big wigs, who wishes to remain unnamed, has gone so far as to confirm that all it takes is a fund-transfer to a youth group, with twice the amount for the form, and the leadership of the youth group galvanise and mobilise members for the charade that a purchase of candidacy form, has become. Third-party purchases, funded by the candidate, being sold to us as community endorsement, then?
We would like to however take a stance and reiterate that Nigerians deserve a little more directness, honesty and transparency from those we have chosen from among us, to lead. We have for too long, been treated like a foolish and uneducated electorate, whose representatives only come home to solicit their votes. It is election season again, and it is time for us to demand an end to propaganda, an end to poor representation, and above all, representatives who will look out for us, always.

If the people want you, you do not need to manipulate us and the media.

God bless Nigeria.

Great post @ op. The most painful of all Is how millions of youth who are supposed to hold these looters accountable had been manipulated to be clamouring for Christian - Christian, Muslim - Muslim or Babalawo - Babalawo. For how long shall we continue like these? My heart bleeds for Nigeria

Nigeria for you, no dull moment