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Nigerian Elections and the appropriateness of insults

As the 2023 Nigerian General Elections draw to a close, one issue that has continued to gain momentum is the use of insults and rudeness as ‘appropriate’ social media tools. Social media has become a powerful tool for politicians and their supporters to mobilize voters and spread their message. However, the use of insults and rudeness in political discourse has reached an alarming level, and it is for a fact the key threat to our democracy.

The use of social media in politics is not new, but its impact on Nigerian politics cannot be overstated. Social media has given a voice to ordinary citizens, and it has become a platform for political engagement. However, the use of social media for political purposes has also given rise to a new form of toxicity in political discourse.

The rise of social media has been a double-edged sword for democracy. While it has provided a platform for free speech and increased access to information, it has also become a breeding ground for hate speech, misinformation, and propaganda. In Nigeria, the latter seems to be taking center stage, especially in the campaigns to the elections.

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp have become echo chambers of insults, name-calling, and character assassination. Political opponents are not spared, and anyone who disagrees with a particular candidate or party is subjected to verbal abuse and harassment. This behavior is not only unacceptable but also detrimental to the democratic process. Under guise of calling for a social and political change, insults are hauled at the slightest opportunity to contrary opinions. Recently, the trend indicate a behaviour of intolerance o opinions and choice of political candidates. Followers of political candidates profile opposing views in a dehumanising characterization to reflect their opponents as less in thoughts and choice and expects nothing but a zombie-like followership of a leader who is squeaky clean and does no wrong.

The use of insults and rudeness in political discourse is not a new phenomenon, but social media has given it a new dimension. It has made it easier to spread hateful messages and propaganda to a wider audience, often with devastating consequences. In Nigeria, the use of social media as a tool for political propaganda has led to violence, deaths, and destruction of property.

Typical Nigerian elections are marred by violence, and social media by extension has played a significant role in spreading false information and inciting violence. The same trend is being observed in the run-up to the 2023 elections, and if nothing is done, the consequences could be dire. The political climate is heating up as expected. However, what is not expected is the increasing use of insults and rudeness as ‘appropriate’ social media tools by politicians and their supporters.

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp have provided an avenue for free speech and increased access to information. However, they have also become breeding grounds for hate speech, misinformation, and propaganda. In Nigeria, the latter seems to be taking center stage, especially in the run-up to the 2023 elections.

The Nigerian government has a responsibility to ensure that the democratic process is fair, transparent, and free from violence. However, the government’s response to the use of insults and rudeness as ‘appropriate’ social media tools has been lackluster at best. The government has not taken any concrete steps to address the issue, and this has emboldened politicians and their supporters to continue with their harmful behavior. Many have alluded to a fact that the current administration rode on the back of social media to achieve its electoral victory and may not have the moral compass to give direction to addressing the problem without infringing on media and human rights.

The responsibility of curbing hate speech and propaganda on social media platforms lies with the government, media and the tech companies. The Nigerian government must take the lead in regulating social media, but this should be done within the confines of the law and without infringing on citizens’ rights to free speech. The emergence of the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS) on social media space has created a chilling impact to some social media users, whom in their views view their social media handles launch as a subtle entry by government to regulate the space.

Tech companies also have a role to play in curbing hate speech and propaganda on their platforms. They should invest in tools and technologies that can detect and remove hateful content from their platforms. This should be done in collaboration with governments and civil society organizations to ensure that it is done in a way that does not infringe on citizens’ rights to free speech.

Political leaders and candidates also have a responsibility to lead by example. They must refrain from using social media to spread hate speech and propaganda. Instead, they should use these platforms to engage with their constituents and share their vision for the country. Political discourse should be based on ideas, not insults and character assassination.

Civil society organizations and the media also have a role to play in curbing hate speech and propaganda on social media. They should use their platforms to call out hate speech and propaganda and educate citizens on the dangers of spreading false information. They should also hold political leaders and candidates accountable for their actions and statements.

In today’s world, social media has become an integral part of our lives. It is a platform where people can express their opinions, share their thoughts, and connect with others. However, it is also a place where insults and abuse are common, and it raises the question of whether such behavior is appropriate.

Insults are never appropriate, whether in a face-to-face conversation or on social media. They can be hurtful, damaging, and even lead to serious consequences such as mental health issues. Using insults to express an opinion is not only disrespectful but also ineffective. It can result in a defensive response from the other party, leading to a breakdown in communication.

Furthermore, insults can escalate into online harassment and cyberbullying, which is a serious issue that affects many people. The anonymity of social media provides a platform for people to say things they would never say in person. It is essential to remember that behind every social media account, there is a real person with feelings and emotions.

It is important to maintain civility in social media conversations, even when disagreeing with others. Respectful dialogue can lead to constructive discussions, and everyone can benefit from exchanging ideas and perspectives. Disagreements can be healthy, but they should be handled with respect and without resorting to insults.

Social media has become a ubiquitous part of modern society, and Nigerian youths are no exception. With over 200 million active social media users in Nigeria, it is clear that this demographic is heavily invested in online interactions. However, there is a concerning trend emerging – the increasing use of insults and cyberbullying in social media conversations among Nigerian youths who hold strong political opinions of their candidates.

Insults are becoming more commonplace in Nigerian social media conversations, and it is a worrying development. It is a reflection of the declining civility and lack of respect that has crept into online interactions. Nigerian youths, in particular, seem to be indulging in this behavior with alarming frequency. From political discussions to everyday conversations, insults are thrown around without regard for their impact.

This trend is concerning for several reasons. It creates an environment where healthy discussions and constructive dialogue are impossible. Insults shut down conversations, making it impossible to exchange ideas and perspectives. Insults on social media space perpetuates a culture of disrespect and incivility, which can have far-reaching consequences. It can lead to a breakdown in relationships, and in some cases, it can even escalate to violence.

Furthermore, insults can have a severe impact on mental health. Being the target of insults can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. For Nigerian youths who are already dealing with the pressures of modern-day society, the impact of insults can be particularly damaging. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos and Nigeria’s President-Elect from the controversial polls had affirmed his desire to keep away from social media space to keep his mental health in check because of insults. He is not the first, Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan had in an interview said he was the most abused public officer within the social media space.

It is important to remember that social media is a reflection of society. If we allow insults to become the norm in our online interactions, we risk normalizing this behavior in our offline interactions as well. We must take responsibility for our actions and strive to create an online environment that is respectful and constructive.

The rise of insults in social media conversations among Nigerian youths is a concerning trend. It undermines healthy discussions, perpetuates a culture of incivility, and can have serious mental health consequences. We must work to reverse this trend and create an online environment that is respectful, constructive, and conducive to healthy interactions.

Nigeria is a country that is no stranger to election controversies. Social media has played an increasingly important role in the 2023 Nigerian elections, with candidates and supporters using it to spread their messages and mobilize their followers. However, the use of insults in social media conversations during elections has become a growing concern particularly among followers of the Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managing in the catch up of the insults inventory. It is now a common parlance, the words #vawulence seems to resonate well where insults and cyberbullying is given a push by young social media users. There are other most frequently used insults tags in Nigerian social media space such as #blablu #agbadoewa #obidiots #tifnubu #nyanshman #SPV #emilokan

The use of insults during Nigerian elections is not a new phenomenon. It has been observed in previous elections, and it continues to be a problem in current elections. Insults are used as a tool to attack opponents, and to discredit their ideas and messages. However, the use of insults has serious consequences that extend far beyond election cycles.

One of the most significant impacts of the use of insults in social media conversations during Nigerian elections is the erosion of trust in the political process. When candidates and their supporters resort to insults, it creates an environment of hostility and divisiveness. This can lead to a breakdown in communication and a loss of faith in the democratic process.

Additionally, insults can have a significant impact on social media conversations. When insults are used in online discussions, they can quickly escalate into online harassment and cyberbullying. This not only affects the targets of the insults but also impacts the broader community, making it difficult to have constructive discussions and exchange ideas.

The use of insults can have a chilling effect on free speech. When people are attacked for expressing their opinions, it can discourage others from speaking out, and this can lead to a loss of diversity in the political discourse. Insults in social media conversations during Nigerian elections has serious consequences that go beyond the election cycle. It erodes trust in the political process, impacts social media conversations, and can have a chilling effect on free speech. It is essential for candidates and their supporters to refrain from using insults and engage in respectful dialogue that promotes healthy political discourse.

The author is certain to receive insults for this article as it has become quite definitive of the Nigerian culture of #vawulence

 

Monday Ashibogwu

Monday Michaels Ashibogwu is Editor-In-Chief of QUICK NEWS AFRICA, one of Nigeria's leading online news service.

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