Political manipulation, an age-old tactic in Nigeria’s political space, has continued to resurface in modern times, with politicians deploying misinformation, propaganda and ethnic sentiments to secure sympathy votes and influence public opinion.
Findings show that both ruling and opposition parties have, at different times, relied on biased narratives and calculated misinformation to deceive voters, deepen divisions and gain political advantage. Analysts argue that this strategy is not new, but a recycled formula rooted in Nigeria’s pre-independence and First Republic politics.
Historical records trace the origin of such political permutations to as far back as the late 1940s. One notable example was the 1948 “Lagos Press War,” a fierce media rivalry between the *West African Pilot, owned by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Daily Service, the mouthpiece of the pan-Yoruba group, Egbe Omo Oduduwa. The episode saw aggressive ethnic-driven narratives between Yoruba and Igbo interests, a pattern observers say has merely shifted to social media in contemporary Nigeria.
The 2023 general election further underscored this trend with the emergence of the Obidient Movement, a youth-driven political force largely mobilised in support of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Similar ideological movements existed in the past, including Awoism, the Zik Movement and other political blocs formed around charismatic leaders and ethnic identities.
On the other side of the divide are groups such as the Yoruba Ronu, often described as Yoruba conservatives, who position themselves as defenders of Yoruba identity. The phrase “Yoruba Ronu,” meaning “Yoruba Think,” was popularised by late cultural icon Hubert Ogunde in 1964 as a critique of leadership failure among Yoruba political elites.
Political commentators also point to the recurring narrative that “Lagos is a no man’s land” as another manipulative tool. The phrase, first attributed to Jaja Nwachukwu in 1947, was originally intended to promote inclusivity and national unity in Lagos. However, it has since been weaponised in political discourse to stoke tension over indigeneship and identity in the state.
Speaking on the issue, social commentator Kayode Teslim Owoso warned that deliberate distortion of history remains a dangerous political weapon. According to him, “Politicians thrive on selective memory and half-truths because ethnic fear and misinformation are easier to sell than good governance. Once a lie is repeated often enough, it begins to sound like truth, and that is how sympathy votes are manufactured.”
He also dismissed claims that the Yoruba have always aligned with the Hausa/Fulani to dominate power, noting that leadership in Nigeria has historically involved alliances across ethnic and regional lines since independence in 1960.
Historical tensions over representation and secession further highlight the long-standing nature of political manipulation. At the 1950 Ibadan Constitutional Conference, disagreements over legislative representation nearly tore the country apart, with northern leaders threatening secession unless granted a majority share.
Despite these challenges, observers note a gradual shift towards political cosmopolitanism in recent times, with the current administration and opposition figures engaging in dialogue and mutual respect across party lines. Analysts believe stronger collaboration among opposition parties is crucial to effectively check the ruling party and protect democratic accountability.
Experts have therefore called on Nigerians to prioritise fact-checking and rely on credible institutions and individuals for information, especially on social media. Regulatory bodies such as the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, have also been urged to remain neutral and proactive in curbing misinformation.
Owoso stressed that timely intervention is critical, saying, “If falsehood is not challenged today, it becomes tomorrow’s history. A society that ignores facts in favour of sentiments will keep repeating the same political mistakes.”
As Nigeria’s political journey continues, stakeholders insist that rejecting ethnic denigration, promoting accurate information and strengthening institutions remain key to building a more inclusive and stable democracy.
kayodeteslim 