The Digitalization Of Political Thuggery In Anambra State

Politicians especially those who are self-serving political nomads with no vision, sense of direction and conscience, mobilize youths and arm them with android phones, laptops, power banks, data subscription and peanuts as salary, in an attempt to enhance their activeness on social media platforms.

These youths who have lost focus and are mostly unemployed, rain abuses, insults and denigrate the image of political rivals and opponents of their paymasters or anyone that have contrary opinion in whatever they are projecting.

In the guise of social media influencers, these youths who are not intellectually sound, lack the ability to promote the political aspirations or constructively criticize the candidacy of the political opponent of their paymasters without raining abuses and insults.

These armies of young Anambrarians are positioned to manipulate people’s opinion by bombarding the social media space with online articles, arguing subjectively, illogically and irrationally in support of their political sponsors.

Yes, these e-thugs may not have electoral value or even contribute to the meaningful development of Anambra, but they are creative in fabricating stories to injure individuals, damage reputations and even cause disaffection among the populace.

Unfortunately, because of monetary gains and undue relevance, Instead of politics of ideas and ideology, these youths are being held down by politics of patronage, identity, bitterness, acrimony and do-or-die which ensures that the same set of politicians, some of them stark illiterates and others who claim to be educated but neither possessing knowledge or vision are voted in elections.

The painful but funny part is that, immediately their paymasters achieve their ambitions, these youths are either dumped or being put at arm’s length. Their paymasters hardly answer their phone calls or even consider them for any serious appointment, financial empowerment or employment.

Innovation and leadership: Globally, young people are toppling old structures and processes, through their ideas, numerical strength, knowledge of ICT, they are dictating who gets what, when and how in the political space, but in Nigeria, ours is different.

Beyond the political space, young people are harnessing the power of the technology in their hands to play the defining role in global development and wealth creation. There is increased awareness in digital entrepreneurship where technology is used as a tool to drive social causes.

Nigeria youths who have refused their creativity and innovative skills to be subverted are pioneering startups like BudgIT, Nairabet, Iroko, Jobberman, PiggyVest, Konga, Hotels.ng, LifeBank, Andela and the rest.

Just recently, American e-payment services company, Stripe, acquired Paystack–a Nigerian startup–for over $200 million (N76 billion naira). This startup was owned by young Nigerians.

Few months ago, former Paystack executive, Obinna Ukwuani was announced as the Chief Digital Officer of the Bank of Kigali.

Many young Nigerians with their handsets and laptops are creating value in the society and not being relegated to ordinary internet warriors by politicians.

The Way Forward: Anambra youths especially those who are active in the social media space and are being used as social media thugs by politicians must start having a rethinking.

It is time they use the power and knowledge of ICT to add value to their lives and society at large.

Official social media aide or aides of political office holders must learn how to discharge their duties professionally without creating enemies for themselves in the guise of loyalty to their paymasters.

It is time young people should come together to decide on what they want, whether to keep feeding on the crumbs of selfish politicians or to support each other, by forming synergy with their skills, talents and Innovation to control their future.