A panel will discuss implications of digital culture for democracy during the public presentation of a book, “Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria”.
The book, written by the Head of Media Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, will be unveiled tomorrow.
Premium Times Book, the publishing arm of Premium Times Group and publishers of the book, stated this in a press release today.
The panel discussion will follow the review of the book by Azubuike Ishiekwene, the Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers.
Discussions during the session will dwell on ‘The Cyber Context of Political Communication and its Implications for Democracy in Africa’.
Among the panelists are Ibietan; Majeed Dahiru, writer, public affairs analyst and CEO of Orascom Properties.
There is also Abiodun Adeniyi, a professor of Mass Communication and Deputy Dean, Postgraduate School, Baze University, Abuja.
Chido Onumah, social entrepreneur, journalist, writer and Coordinator, African Centre for Information and Media Literacy (AFRIMIL), will moderate the discussion.
The panel will focus on how cyber politics played out and shaped the last two general elections in Nigeria. The possible implications of cyber politics in future elections will also be x-rayed.
The 460-page book, spread over 12 chapters, interrogated a critical phase in Nigeria’s democracy through its elections.
The new title has been widely praised. It used Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election as the sounding board from which analyses that offer great insights into the future of voting behaviour in the country were made.
The study that culminated in the book has been described as both skilful in its rendition and ground-cutting in its intellectual approach.
The book will be formally unveiled by Professor Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The head of the telecoms regulatory agency is also the writer of the foreword to the book.
Among prominent personalities who have commented on the book and the author is Danbatta.
NCC EVC/CEO praised the book for situating the historical context of Nigerian politics and democracy. He said it explored the nexus between social media and voting behaviour.
He also said the book provided an insight into the influence of the social media ecosystem and other variables in the electoral process.
Danbatta described Cyber Politics as a “compelling narrative, a scholar’s guide and companion on the various political communication themes it interprets.
“It is difficult to put down this work once you are drawn by its alluring and free-flowing prose and incisive analysis.”
Cyber Politics has been available in hardback and paperback versions in bookstores across the country since 12 June, 2023.
The electronic copies of the book can also be purchased on online platforms, including Amazon, Premium Times Group stated.
Prominent Nigerians and stakeholders within the Nigerian politics cycle and cyber/digital ecosystem are billed to be at the public presentation of the book.
