As the train for 2023 general election in Nigeria gathers speed and the search for the Aso Rock’s new occupant gathers steam, a former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has emerged most vocal and engaging political leader on cyberspace, discussing critical issues of statehood, economic development and national unity and proffering solutions on how to advance the country and keep it safe.
In a recent report released by Grand Plan, a research and new media communication outfit, Olawepo-Hashim is only behind the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is finishing his second term in office in 2023.
The monthly social media rating of political engagements on Facebook platform, which was released last Thursday, showed that President Buhari and Olawepo-Hashim are leading as the most engaging political leaders in the country.
The latest data, according to Grand Plan’s Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, showed that Olawepo-Hashim was ahead of all other political figures, including former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Chairman of Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
According to statistics by Grand Plan, President Buhari maintain top position with over 296,000+ engagements, followed by Olawepo-Hashim with 98,000+ engagements.
Data released showed that other political figures and presidential hopefuls such as Abubakar recorded 53,000+ engagements and Saraki 48,000+engagements.
Bello, who has also indicated an interest in the presidency, recorded 37,000+ engagements and Fayemi had 6000+ engagements on the tech giant platform, Facebook.
Grand Plan maintained that the data on each of the candidates were realistic because “Facebook represents the broad spectrum of voters who will vote in 2023.”
According to Hamzat: “Increasing engagements imply voters’ growing interest in the candidates, while a decreasing result reflects voters’ disenchantment.”
“Following the ban on the popular microblogging platform, Twitter, few months ago, Nigerian politicians have become more active on Facebook and most of them have made the platform their preferred medium of communication with the people.
“Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the world, with over 2.8 billion users.
“It is also by far, the most popular social media platform in Nigeria with over 65 per cent control.
“While there are over 104 million internet users in Nigeria, only 33 million of them are on social media, with Facebook having over 30 per cent of the total internet users and more than 95 per cent of social media users, with its over 31 million Facebook users in Nigeria, some of whom also uses other social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok, etc.
“Additionally, contrary to popular belief, which claimed that the suspended microblogging platform, Twitter, is the platform for youths in the country, available records show that Facebook still remains the dominant social media platform for young adults.”
Hamzat added that “65 per cent of Facebook users are under the age of 35, which means that they fall under the age demographic of Millennials and Generation Z.
“It is also important to note that, between 25 to 34-year-olds accounted for 32.5 per cent of Facebook users, whereas just 2.9 per cent of users were aged between 55 and 64.”
Grand Plan noted that Olawepo-Hashim’s growing engagement is a measure of voters’ interest in him ahead of 2023 as he discusses policy issues that many consider important.
Hamzat added: “At a time when the country is in need of real leaders, Olawepo Hashim has stepped forward early enough, with clarity of thought and serious governance proposals, putting his ideas forward to the Nigerian people for scrutiny.”
The monthly social media rating of political figures by Grand Plan will be released last week of every month.
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