The resident Country Director of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Mr. Sentell Barnes, has noted that the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has a battered image before the public and need to re-strategize in order to gain the trust of Nigerians.
This was revealed, Thursday, at a PDP Social Media communication Interactive Forum organized by members of PDP Social Media Directorate in Abuja.
In his keynote address entitled: The Role of Communication in Party and Development, Mr. Barnes, stated that the 2015 general election was fought and won on the social media.
He said that the then ruling party (PDP) lost the election because of its inability to recognize the power of social media and its failure to harmonize its communication channels and charged them to re-strategize if they must bounce back in future elections.
Barnes said no party building task is more important than the development of a successful communications programme because it affects everything a party does.
‘‘No matter what a political party does, if it does not have effective communication, it can’t achieve much. PDP needs more strategic engagement to lose and unbundle any negative impression already created by the opposition.’’
‘‘ . What PDP should emphasize is to de-emphasize confrontational statements with the ruling party in order to change the narrative.
‘‘Candidates should come down to the level of the electorates and have handshake with them,‘’ he added.
The convener of the workshop, Mr. Deji Adeyanju told vanguard that the essence of the workshop was to gather party members to discuss how they can communicate better via social media platform, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Also he stated that the meeting was to deliberate on issues that concern the party and the challenges in the face of what he called the deliberate plan by the ruling party to crush the main opposition party, (PDP).
He alleged that the present administration had a grand plan to silence every dissenting voice in the country and called on the Civil Society Organizations not to be intimidated but join hands with the PDP to offer an effective opposition to the ruling party before it derails into anarchy.
‘‘We have found out that there is a deliberate plan to crush the party by the presidency. The Presidency has virtually silenced every dissenting voice in the country, but has not been able to silence the social media.
‘‘Our plan is also to make better use of social media. We have received threats because of our open criticism of government. We intend to find ways that this become basic of our future actions. It will help the party in the use of social media, shaping all our platforms, forums, and to ensure that things are done in a more professional manner. This is why we are calling on the CSOs not to grow cold but stand up and refused to be intimidated.’’
Adeyanju, who declared the party’s support for the war against corruption cautioned that for the fight to be credible and sustained, it has to be fought without flagrant disregard to the rule of law.
‘‘I want to promise Nigerians to expect effective opposition to the ruling party from now henceforth. Our message to the ruling party is that they should no longer heap blames on us instead they should start building infrastructure and fulfilling all their promises. Nigerians don’t want change of promise,’’ he added.
A member of the PDP Social Media Directorate, Churchhill Umorien, told vanguard that the workshop was designed to empower their members to be able to engage the ruling party in a more professional manner on issues of national interest without necessarily dwelling on sentiment.
‘‘We don’t have to criticize the government out of sentiment but with facts. We are going to rebrand the party, create a new narrative for the party. As much as we support the ant-corruption war, it has to go in tandem with rule of law.
‘‘We are proud of our party for its achievements in creating the middle class in the last six years, growing the economy and infrastructure rejuvenation. I am aware that the government would have done better should we had won the 2015 general election unlike the present administration which is now killing jobs and increasing poverty because they do not have plans for the country.’’
Meanwhile as part of its re-branding strategy to bounce back to power in 2019, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded plans to adopt direct primary election in all its future elections across the country.
According to the party, the amendment was part of resolutions reached at its just concluded constitution amendment exercise in Abujaon Wednesday.
It added that the idea was to evolve an all inclusive method of choosing party representatives in every general elections as a clear reflection of its slogan of transferring power to the people.
One of the party’s constitution amendment committee members, who disclosed this said the constitution drafting committee felt that the new method of primary election if adopted by the party would eliminate all external influence from godfathers, who usually choose unpopular candidates among the people.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/01/603579/

APC

Bad product is bad product, forget communication, the proof is in the pudding and the results of the last 16 years are there for all to see. Wasted opportunities and corruption. But don't worry you people can keep lying to yourselves, that party is sinking into oblivion.

TippyTop:
APC

u want make I toc change?

SkyBlue1:
Bad product is bad product, forget communication, the proof is in the pudding and the results of the last 16 years are there for all to see. Wasted opportunities and corruption. But don't worry you people can keep lying to yourselves, that party is sinking into oblivion.

Apc in nt a better party either, we tink changing gov ll help us bt here we are killing us

For now PDP needs rebranding more than re-strategizing, but above all they need to come out and sincerely apologise to Nigerians, else they will never be taken serious (actually they don't take thierselves serious ).

Proudlyngwa:
For now PDP needs rebranding more than re-strategizing, but above all they need to come out and sincerely apologise to Nigerians, else they will never be taken serious (actually they don't take thierselves serious ).

Plz tel me d truth, wit wat is hapnin nw, do u still hv d mind of voting 4 Apc in 2019?

Jusmudi:

Plz tel me d truth, wit wat is hapnin nw, do u still hv d mind of voting 4 Apc in 2019?

I don't vote party, I rather vote individual based on pedigree and ideology. Nigeria party system lacks ideologies and is just used as a platform to project individuals, not individuals projecting party ideas.
And for the records I don't have a voters card

What PDP should emphasize is to de-emphasize confrontational statements with the ruling party in order to change the narrative.
‘‘Candidates should come down to the level of the electorates and have handshake with them,‘’ he added.
The convener of the workshop, [b]Mr. Deji Adeyanju [/b]told vanguard that the essence of the workshop was to gather party members to discuss how they can communicate better via social media platform,

They are never likely to heed this admonition, they keep missing it by claiming they are playing the game of an "eye for an eye."

Always seen to be supporting corrupt practices, evil acts, also refusing to accept wrong doings , & seeking restitution...

Deji Adeyanju is one of the most confrontational elements ever . Has been known to put both feet in on a number of occassions!!! He also lies per second billing..

Proudlyngwa:


I don't vote party, I rather vote individual based on pedigree and ideology. Nigeria party system lacks ideologies and is just used as a platform to project individuals, not individuals projecting party ideas.
And for the records I don't have a voters card

Plz sorry if am rude. U never voted 4 Apc u voted 4 Buhari, u c want human can do? Arm of flesh shall fail

modath:



They are never likely to heed this admonition, they keep missing it by claiming they are playing the game of an "eye for an eye."

Always seen to be supporting corrupt practices, evil acts, also refusing to accept wrong doings , & seeking restitution...

Deji Adeyanju is one of the most confrontational elements ever . Has been known to put both feet in on a number of occassions!!! He also lies per second billing..

Am Sorry 4 supporting pdp bt I must tel u d truth, 4rm way tins are going, pdp is far beta 2 Apc dis is because all d bad eggs in Pdp are nw in Apc.

APC used social media to propagate it's propaganda campaign. This is not the way to go, PDP needs to Re-strategize in such a way that no campaign against them will work. They should focus on impacting the grassroot more than they did in the past.

Jusmudi:

Plz sorry if am rude. U never voted 4 Apc u voted 4 Buhari, u c want human can do? Arm of flesh shall fail

Where did I mention voting for buhari , I said I don't have a voters card

Pidggin:
APC used social media to propagate it's propaganda campaign. This is not the way to go, PDP needs to Re-strategize in such a way that no campaign against them will work. They should focus on impacting the grassroot more than they did in the past.

wat u said is d answer, plz manage dis breakfast

Proudlyngwa:


Where did I mention voting for buhari , I said I don't have a voters card

So sorry, dt means u can't vote or b voted 4

Jusmudi:

wat u said is d answer, plz manage dis breakfast

Yummy!

Jusmudi:

So sorry, dt means u can't vote or b voted 4

When am ready for political positions, trust me I will be voted for massively.
Cheers

Reason I don't have a voters card, am a field worker and can't guarantee my next location.

Pidggin:


Yummy!

Will it b ok 4 u dear

Proudlyngwa:


When am ready for political positions, trust me I will be voted for massively.
Cheers

Reason I don't have a voters card, am a field worker and can't guarantee my next location.

Ok bt wat position ll u lik 2 c urself. because I must vote 4 u

Jusmudi:

Ok bt wat position ll u lik 2 c urself. because I must vote 4 u

Thanks,
For me all politics is grassroot, if I can't serve and identify with my people first at ward level, I don't deserve any post.

Proudlyngwa:

Thanks,
For me all politics is grassroot, if I can't serve and identify with my people first at ward level, I don't deserve any post.

Wait ooooooooooooo u don work wit politician b4? because na lik dis dem dey start ooooooooooooo, I dn't want politician position. I want 2 serve my pipo

Damalex4luv:

I c u, u dey among dose wen vote 4 Buhari bt u go say no I dn't no him
Lolzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 4ni guy

Jusmudi:

Wait ooooooooooooo u don work wit politician b4? because na lik dis dem dey start ooooooooooooo, I dn't want politician position. I want 2 serve my pipo

Like I always say, I come from a family deeply entrenched in politics,
Most politicians as you rightly pointed out start with right intentions, along the line they sign a pact with negativity, either by do or die ambition or by wrong association for sponsorship or cultism:occultism for protection.
If you can overcome most of this, u will remember your intentions for joining politics

Proudlyngwa:


Like I always say, I come from a family deeply entrenched in politics,
Most politicians as you rightly pointed out start with right intentions, along the line they sign a pact with negativity, either by do or die ambition or by wrong association for sponsorship or cultism:occultism for protection.
If you can overcome most of this, u will remember your intentions for joining politics

Even pastors ll 4get d oath dey took because of politics

Nigeria as a whole needs to re-strategise not the PDP.

Jusmudi:

Even pastors ll 4get d oath dey took because of politics

Based on their intentions of joining politics and the clique they associate with

Sweetguy25:
Nigeria as a whole needs to re-strategise not the PDP.

If I say u are nt correct dt means d truth is nt in me

Jusmudi:

Apc in nt a better party either, we tink changing gov ll help us bt here we are killing us

I always find this suggestion amusing. Which party has been leading Nigeria for the past 16 years? It's like the past 16 years of failed leadership doesn't matter but 9 months of a different party is too dangerous to even imagine? PDP ran Nigeria into the ground and the only crime is that Nigerians let them get away with it for so long. For the first time in Nigerlia's history a corrupt incumbent was defeated at the federal polls and that alone was worth it. Any shortcomings of APC does not mean we must go back to PDP, that is the height of foolishness and a very retrogressive way of thinking. There are other parties out there, PDP is not Nigeria.

Proudlyngwa:


Based on their intentions of joining politics and the clique they associate with

Bros 2 tel u d truth even if am nt more catholic dan d pope. i did in our faculty, though am nt d person coming out 4 d position bt dey keeping meeting me 2 assist dem, 2 tel u d truth, I took moni 4rm dem without voting, den I realized dt d spirit of Nigeria politics is coming 2 me gradually. I decided 2 quit permanently

SkyBlue1:


I always find this suggestion amusing. Which party has been leading Nigeria for the past 16 years? It's like the past 16 years of failed leadership doesn't matter but 9 months of a different party is too dangerous to even imagine? PDP ran Nigeria into the ground and the only crime is that Nigerians let them get away with it for so long. For the first time in Nigerlia's history a corrupt incumbent was defeated at the federal polls and that alone was worth it. Any shortcomings of APC does not mean we must go back to PDP, that is the height of foolishness and a very retrogressive way of thinking. There are other parties out there, PDP is not Nigeria.

Bros 2 tel u d truth, I prefer d 16 yrs of pdp 2 9mnts of Apc

Jusmudi:

Bros 2 tel u d truth even if am nt more catholic dan d pope. i did in our faculty, though am nt d person coming out 4 d position bt dey keeping meeting me 2 assist dem, 2 tel u d truth, I took moni 4rm dem without voting, den I realized dt d spirit of Nigeria politics is coming 2 me gradually. I decided 2 quit permanently

Am not a religious person right now,due to the field I work in, but I've promised myself never to loose focus of my target.
One of the target being to always be content with what I own via my sweat.
That being said in politics we need more good people, that is the only way we can enforce good things, hope you have a change of mind and come back to politics.