Addressing the.menace of political sychophancy ahead of 2027 general elections
The Nasarawa State political landscape is taking a dramatic shape ahead of the 2027 general elections as members of the political class adopt different strategies to guarantee their electoral victories.
Among these strategies is the dangerous trend of political sychophancy gaining momentum among supporters of key political actors in the state.
Sychophancy can be simply defined as a situation where someone tries to win favor or advancement by excessively praising or flattering people in an insincere or manipulative way.
However, in Nasarawa State, sychophancy has taken the form of blackmail, character assassination, and use of abusive languages through video recordings, otherwise known as podcasts, principally on various social media handles such as Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, among others.
This trend has no doubt gained wider popularity among young politicians where they take advantage of such platforms to promote their preferred aspirants and disparage their perceived opponents for cheap gains.
They are often regarded as data boys and girls who serve as attack dogs for these politicians, hailing those who pay them and raining insults on their perceived political enemies.
Unfortunately, this trend has led to a heated premature political atmosphere even before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifts the ban on political campaigns.
Aside promoting hatred and acrimony among political actors and their followers, political sychophancy is a major trigger for political violence in society.
Like the case of the 2023 general elections, where a similar gale of social media podcasts by certain politicians led to a tense political atmosphere which took on religious and ethnic dimensions, the forthcoming 2027 elections may yet take another dangerous dimension if not properly addressed.
Already, social media is being awash on a daily basis with political activists whose recent utterances are a clear departure from the rules of the game.
A situation where everyone with an Android phone and active data in Nasarawa State turns into a potential political analyst by condemning, attacking, or insulting leaders is not encouraging and should be discouraged.
Therefore, to avoid early overheating of the political atmosphere in Nasarawa State,the State political actors need to play the game according to the rules.
They must caution their loyalists from overstepping their boundaries.
Equally, we wish to call on the youths who are the major culprits of this strange political culture to desist forthwith to avoid making unnecessary enemies because of politicians who may deny them when the chips are down.
Correspondengling, the youths must also know that the society is governed by the values of our cherished culture and tradition, which forbid disrespect for elders and people in authority.
They must also bear in mind the recently passed Cybercrimes Act of 2024, which prescribes stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for violators, including attacks on individuals on social media classified as cyber bullying.
For the political parties, while we await INEC to lift the ban on political campaigns, emphasis should be placed on encouraging their members to obtain voter cards and membership revalidation rather than open campaigns.
Above all, let us know that politics is a game, and those who play it must do so according to the rules.
Indeed, Nasarawa State is at a critical juncture, and stakeholders must work towards promoting peaceful coexistence and respectful politics.
By doing so, we can ensure a smooth and credible election in 2027, where the people of Nasarawa State can exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.
*God'spower Ede is a Senior News Editor with the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service NBS*
