The governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has downplayed the impact of social media on electoral outcomes, arguing that online sentiment does not reflect real voting patterns on the ground.
Speaking on the prospects of Nigeria’s next election, Sani said that while platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X may shape public discourse, they do not determine the final result at the ballot box.
“If the election is going to be conducted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or social media, Asiwaju will lose,” he said. “But if it is people who will vote through the ballot at polling units, he is going to win 70 percent of the votes.”
“Asiwaju” is a widely used title for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president and a central figure in the country’s ruling political landscape.
Sani’s remarks highlight an ongoing debate in Nigeria about the gap between online political engagement and actual voter behaviour, particularly in a country where internet discourse is often dominated by younger, urban populations, while elections are decided across a broader and more diverse electorate.
The comments come amid heightened political activity and growing scrutiny of how digital platforms influence public opinion ahead of major elections.
