By: Inuwa Bwala
A good student of politics will tend to say, that, a candidate seeking election into any office makes greater impact on the electorates, when he or she reaches out physically, than by proxy or through technological means.
Politicians who leave their comfort zones to physically visit are more likely to endear themselves to the voter, more than one those who reach out through emissaries. .
Trends in Nigerian politics where technology does greater part of the job, through Television and Radio discussions, Social Media posts and
Press statements, may reduce stress and digitalize Politics, but do not make as much impact as the physical method.
And much as radio and television messages tend to reach greater number of people within a shorter period, the absence of physical interaction between leaders and the led, tends to widen the disconnect, making it difficult to hold leaders accountable over their promises.
No matter how sophisticated politics becomes therefore,,one aspect that cannot be replaced by technology is physical engagement with the voters during campaigns.
I assume, it is in trying to bridge the gap often created by reaching out to the electorates through technological means, that, the Presidential standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwanu Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima devised to tour the country, and hold town hall meetings.
Besides exposing them to the real issues on ground, this ingenious method tends to strengthen the relationship between a would be leader and the led, to the effect that it strengthens the covenant and rekindles confidence.
In each of the states Tinubu and Shettima visited so far, there have been direct and no bares hold discussions with stakeholders and the commoners, where issues were thoroughly interrogated.
The town hall meeting provide them the opportunity to diffuse erroneous notions about their intentions, just as they were able avoid the pitfalls associated with radio and tv debates, as relates to time and space.
While others choose to stage rallies; showcasing crowds that are believed to be often rented, and where speakers are seldom clearly heard, Tinubu and Shettima choose to reel out their programmes before select citizens, where they entertain questions.
Reports from the several town hall meetings held indicate that, they are often thoroughly interrogated over their submissions and made to clarify any possible ambiguities.
Reports available to me show that,Tinubu and Shettima meet with people of diverse professional backgrounds: explaining the place of such groups in their administration if elected in the 2023 elections.
Besides, the physical engagements have relegated mundane issues in the polity to the background, and brought forth issues that should define healthy political discourse between them and the people they meet, such that, campaigns are directed on issues.
I have listened to both gentlemen clarify issues arising from their pedigrees as former governors, as senators, even as opinion moulders, and I am convinced that their partnership to lead transcends the trivialities being promoted as a narrative over their faith.
I have been on the trails of their engagements and one could see that, they have abandoned earlier trends, where personality attacks, blackmail, character assassination and vile political vendetta became the rules, rather than the exception. Communication gaps are fast closing and confidence is being rebuilt and the initial political tensions are giving way to hopes.
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