2023: NIPR Tasks Political Parties to deploy Issue-base Campaign Strategy
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has observed that campaigns by political parties ahead of the forthcoming general election lack substance and are filled with personality attacks.
President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the NIPR, Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo disclosed the observation on Saturday at a one-day Colloquium on the 2023 Elections that was held via Zoom with the theme: Assessing the Presidential Election Campaigns.
According to Sirajo, political parties should rather engage Nigerians in robust discussions on how their candidates intend to turn the fortune of Nigeria around, instead of being busy attacking the personalities of opponents.
“The component of the campaigns of virtually all the political parties have in my opinion been absolutely zero. That is because the political parties and their campaign managers believe that communication is not worth giving attention to as it ought to be.
“That is why you see political parties appointing anybody they like as their spokesperson, believing that communication is an all-comers affair,” Sirajo stated.
The NIPR President advised the candidates in the 2023 elections to address the issue of how they can better communicate with the people.
The virtual event had in attendance communication experts, representatives of political parties, print/electronic media, PR practitioners, Regulators, Public Opinion pollsters, INEC, APCON, Advertising practitioners and Mass Communication students.
The event was anchored by a team of communications, academics and media professionals led by Ambassador Aminu Wisdom and Professor Charles Okigbo.
Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, Ambassador Wisdom disclosed that the colloquium was to provide insights into what political parties are doing to communicate their agenda and programmes to Nigerians ahead of the elections.
“Free and fair elections are prefaced on strategic communication election campaigns. We are here today to get a better understanding of what our political parties are doing in their use of communication for the upcoming elections,” Wisdom said.
The diplomat stressed that elections should be won on the strength of the character, leadership acumen, ability and agendas of the candidates while cautioning that Nigerians must be mindful of the choices they make in the elections, stressing that the world is watching.
“Nigeria is the leading nation in Africa. The giant of Africa. Whatever happens in Nigeria, has implications for the entire African continent.
“I want to emphasize that we now have a unique opportunity to use the 2023 elections to show that Nigeria can fulfil it’s potential, that there is hope for Africa, and that we can consistently conduct free and fair elections.
“The future greatness of Nigeria lies completely within our grasp, and will be achieved solely by our own hands,” he said.
