This may be shocking or better said, surprising, to
most, if not all of you who follow me on Facebook. I
say this because I am an avid user of Facebook and
you know how often I come here.
You may have noticed that there is increased
activity and restlessness on Social Networks,
especially Facebook (Nigerians are not good on
Twitter, it does not accommodate verbosity,
hehehe). All that is happening because election is
close and people need to let-off steam. So, we
come to the playground or what my friend, IKWUAKO
IFEANYI would call "Otobo." It is the only avenue left
for the common middleclass and helpless students
to feel that someone is listening to him or her. The
mainline media does not interview common people
on the streets.

They go after politicians who will pay
for the interviews or to popular men who they think
have some voice. So, we take solace in Facebook.
It is estimated that an average of 11 million
Nigerians are on Facebook; out of which we have
about 5.6 million active users (Not surprising as
many have up to 2 or three dormant accounts).
About 80% of these users are youths. It is more
than the population of some countries, though when
compared to the population of Nigeria it will seem
like a drop in the ocean.

These active users talk
about many things: 99% of the ladies are occupied
with posting the pictures of their latest dresses and
events; 50% of the men talk Sports, 35% talk politics
while the rest focus on sundry matters (the %
allocation is mine).


THE FACT!
Facebook may have little or nothing to contribute to
winning the 2015 Election. Yes! That is the
bombshell. ANY REALISTIC PERSON KNOWS THAT
THOSE WE PRAISE OR DISPARAGE, AND STRAIN
OURSELVES FOR ON FACEBOOK (POLITICIANS) HAVE
NO FACEBOOK ACCOUNT (forget those ones they
claim to open at election times. It is their
campaigners, who never go back to check the
comments). Thus, by and large they cannot even
read us. Incidentally, their foot soldiers and cronies
too are not on Facebook or have not time for
Facebook. So they have no one to tell them. Only
few “big men” in Nigeria (including religious leaders)
are on Facebook and they visit rarely. Most rural
women, farmers, traders, artisans etc, who make up
the voting mass are not on Facebook.
THEY
NEITHER UNDERSTAND NOR CARE ABOUT WHAT IS
GOING ON IN THE CRAZE CALLED FACEBOOK.
Hence, on Facebook, we are left with a chunk of
gentle middle class and young students. Most of the
students just turned into the voting age and may not
likely have a voting card. Can you now see the
picture?
Out of the “gentle middle class” about 1/3rd are not
within the country.

IN FACT, THE MOST
VOCIFEROUS ONES (including yours truly heheheh)
ARE OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND CANNOT VOTE.
Many within the country are more like TALKING
SHOPS THAT MIGHT DECIDE TO WATCH MAN U,
ARSENAL OR CHELSEA PLAY THAN GO OUT TO
VOTE. It is also the VALENTINE DAY. So, many
others may decide to go to CHURCH VALENTINE
GIGS or ADADA RIVER with their loved ones. So you
see why we should not think that what we say here
will win election for GEJ, GMB or the other 9
candidates? FACEBOOK CAMPAIGNS CANNOT WIN
YOUR MAN ELECTIONS. THE PLATFORM IS NOT
HERE. IT IS OUT THERE.
IS IT ALL A WASTE OF TIME?
NO, IT IS NOT!!! It is entertainment. It is sharing of
knowledge and information. It is our gossiping
channel. It is refinement of thoughts. It is our
venting space and it is our Playground. It is, in any
case, beneficiary to the posters and commentators
because it has a psychological effect. I WON’T ALSO
LOSE SIGHT THAT A FEW OF THE USERS MAY
HAPPEN TO HAVE CONTACT WITH SOME “BIG MEN”
AND CHIP TO THEM WHAT WE ARE SAYING
FACEBOOK. Like many other things, it might end up
with a sip of champagne and a casual “don’t mind
them.” SO DO NOT KILL YOURSELF ABOUT WHAT
WE SAY HERE ABOUT GEJ OR GMB, APC OR PDP
etc. THEY ALSO KNOW WE ARE A LITTLE MASS. THE
BATTLE IS OUT THERE. But meanwhile, enjoy
yourself. That’s what I do on Facebook.

30% fact. Don't agree totally