The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged residents of the state to reject politicians who fail to respond to calls and messages from the people they seek to govern. He emphasized that effective communication between public office holders and citizens is crucial for transparency and accountability. Akinyemi's statement comes as a warning to politicians and public office holders in the state to prioritize communication with the people.
According to Akinyemi, the failure of public office holders to communicate effectively with the people can create an "information vacuum" that undermines governance and political legitimacy. He noted that citizens who are unable to reach their leaders may become suspicious of their motives and interpret their silence as an attempt to conceal wrongdoing. This, he warned, can lead to a breakdown of trust and loss of public confidence.
The monarch further argued that poor communication can result in a breakdown of trust and loss of public confidence, leaving citizens feeling "ignored and disconnected" from their leaders. He also identified suspicion of corruption as another consequence of poor communication, noting that silence by public officials can be interpreted as "guilt, secrecy, or a sign that the official is hiding wrongdoing." Akinyemi stressed that communication is essential to transparency and accountability.
Akinyemi added that communication gaps can encourage rumor-mongering, fake news, and conspiracy theories, while politicized narratives can be hijacked by opponents of an office holder. He warned that the consequences can become more severe during emergencies, saying poor communication can escalate crises, cause public panic, and undermine compliance with government directives.
The Eselu emphasized that responding to calls and messages should be regarded as a basic responsibility of anyone holding public office or seeking elective office. He stated that any public office holder or party's candidate who makes themselves incommunicado does not deserve the votes of Ogun traditional rulers or the entire citizens of Ogun State. Akinyemi's advice to traditional rulers, chiefs, politicians, and electorate in Ogun State is to reject politicians who shut out citizens.
In a related development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned Nigerians against spreading misinformation and propaganda that could worsen insecurity and trigger attacks on innocent citizens. The Commandant of the NSCDC Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, gave the warning during a nationwide roadshow organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja.
The NSCDC commandant emphasized that the spread of unverified information, particularly on social media, can create panic, heat the polity, and encourage criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping. He urged Nigerians, particularly young people who are active on social media, to communicate responsibly and avoid content capable of provoking violence, banditry, and kidnapping.
Key points
- The monarch's advice to traditional rulers, chiefs, politicians, and electorate in Ogun State is to reject politicians who shut out citizens.
- Effective communication between public office holders and citizens is crucial for transparency and accountability.
- Poor communication can lead to a breakdown of trust and loss of public confidence, leaving citizens feeling "ignored and disconnected" from their leaders.
