POLITICAL POLITICS

Elections: Stakeholders Warn Against Misuse Of Social Media Platforms

by admin on | 2026-08-03 13:48:49

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 24

---

Elections: Stakeholders Warn Against Misuse Of Social Media Platforms

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

Nigerians have been urged to embrace the responsible use of social media and be wary of its misuse, particularly the spread of harmful digital content capable of undermining the peace and security of society.

The Founder and Executive Director of the Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab (DigiAfricaLab), Rosemary Ajayi, advised at a Town Hall Meeting on Digital Rights and Peaceful Election organised by the Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab in partnership with the Pan African Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) in Osogbo, Southwest Nigeria.

She warned that the issue of social media and harmful online content goes beyond misinformation, noting that it also includes fake accounts, impersonation and manipulation of social media trends, among others.

Ajayi explained that as the Osun governorship and general elections draw nearer, digital threats, which she described as behaviours, activities and online content that create fear, anger or mistrust, must be discouraged.

“Digital threats are any behaviours, activities or content shared in digital spaces that can make people feel fear, anger or lose trust in the electoral system.

“And as we prepare for the August 15 governorship election and look ahead to the general election in 2027, I urge all Nigerians particularly young people, media practitioners, civil society organisations, political actors, and digital content creators to embrace the principles of fact-checking, responsible communication, tolerance, and respect for differing opinions. Peaceful elections are built on the foundation of informed, responsible, and patriotic citizens,” Ajayi said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), Ezenwa Nwagwu, called for peaceful elections and responsible use of social media ahead of the polls.

While calling for enhanced public engagement on electoral offences, Nwagwu expressed concern that many Nigerians remain unaware of the legal consequences.

He noted that the selling and buying of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) is a criminal offence punishable under the law.

“We need to centralise conversations around electoral offences, peaceful elections, responsible use of social media and consequence management so that different stakeholders can come to terms with what is right.

“A lot of people don’t know that if they sell their PVC, they can go to jail,” Nwagwu said.

Nwagwu urged voters, political parties and other stakeholders to shun electoral violence and embrace responsible use of social media to prevent the spread of misinformation, hate speech and other harmful content capable of threatening peaceful polls.

“To appreciate freedom is to appreciate when you are not free. Good roads and hospitals are important and desirable, but if you are incarcerated, if you cannot think freely, move about or express yourself, those things become meaningless,” Nwagwu said.

While acknowledging the desirability of infrastructure and tangible dividends of democracy, Nwagwu called on Nigerians to place a premium on freedom, independence, rule of law and other intrinsic democratic values often overlooked.

Meanwhile, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) also urged responsible use of social media, advising citizens to always fact-check information before posting or sharing.

The State Director of NOA, Adebiyi Stephen Adefarasin, advised while delivering a goodwill message at the event.

Adefarasin urged residents of Osun State to make the state a model for responsible social media use ahead of the general election.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working with stakeholders to build a digitally responsible society and sustain a culture of peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

“The National Orientation Agency remains steadfast on its mandate of sensitising citizens on their civic responsibilities, fostering patriotism, and promoting values that encourage peaceful coexistence. In today’s digital era, social media has become a powerful tool for information sharing, civic engagement, and democratic participation,” Adefarasin said.

Adefarasin, however, noted that the immense influence of social media comes with the responsibility to prevent the spread of misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and other harmful content capable of undermining democratic processes.