As the rebel governors finally reveal their ‘true colours’, it amounts to an understatement to say the battle line has been drawn between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Peoples Congress.

Five of the seven aggrieved governors of the PDP had, on Tuesday, declared for the APC, in a move that some sections of the media variously described as an earthquake, a coup and more.

This decision, some analysts argue, has been long expected after several attempts to broker peace between President Goodluck Jonathaan and the aggrieved PDP members since September failed to yield positive result.

The five governors that defected from PDP are Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).

However, Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger), who are also in the New PDP, have elected to remain within the PDP.

Already, there is a beehive of activities on the Facebook accounts of both parties as it is evident they no longer sleep with both eyes closed. Indeed, their web managers and other Internet warriors now have a lot to do. But other new media are not folding their arms.

With post after post being dropped in quick succession, as at press time, the APC had 27,337 Facebook fans while PDP has 25,806 .Although such online following may not automatically translate into votes in the long run, it is an in indication that the battle will be tough on Facebook and other platforms.

“The merger between the APC and nPDP has completely changed Nigeria’s political power map,” a post on APC’s Facebook page reads.

Interestingly, die-hard fans are also not sparing any thought when it comes to hitting back at any one that dares to bring down their beloved parties on Facebook. For instance, oneJames Mbaitoli wrote, “These APC members are so dumb! Having 18 states does not mean the people voted for it or that the people are with you. All you have are 18 corrupt looting governors. They will be gone by the next election. This is the beginning of the end of APC. We dey Laugh ooh!”

Mbaitoli, may have stirred the hornet’s nest as an APC ‘fanatic,’ Ishmeal Bali, swooped on him, saying, “Both the followers of Tinubu and Buhari are happy. Even if you become the devil himself, you can’t cause disaffection among them. Talk for your dying PDP, RIP!”

PDP has, on the other hand, attempted to brush up what it describes as ‘empty boasts’ by APC on its Facebook page. It says it is now rid of detractors and distractions’, in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, which was posted on Facebook and the party’s website simultaneously.

It adds, “This APC ratings and chanting should tell people that a merger is different from de-camping. We (PDP) are not moved by any action they take! They will beg to come back and we will accept them.”

And some PDP fans have started to reason with Metuh.. One Ngozi Igbo on Facebook writes, “Thank you, Lord. My president can now have rest and finish the good work he has started. Praise be to God for the good news.”

The internet and social media has in the last few years, proven to be a veritable tool in the hands of politicians. It affords them the benefit of reaching out to millions of voters within a short time and with the added advantage of instant feedback.

Just like Daryn Smith writing on how political parties can use mobile and social media to reach voters;”Mobile integration into a campaign and establishing an interactive tool to reach people can help gauge their concerns. Effective campaigns need to deliver information to people online as a primary tool, not an afterthought. Citizen Journalism also can’t be ignored, and the power of their messages over social media.”

In the words of Smith, “A political election is much like a marketing campaign showdown, and the team with the best product usually sways the biggest audience. Look at Barack Obama in his first campaign — cited as the most successful “new marketer” in history for his ground-breaking use of online and social media to reach out to potential supporters.”