Politicians and mudslinging

Whenever elections are approaching and candidates have emerged under whichever platforms suit them, what the electorate expect of them is to present their plans and policies which would better their lives in years to come. Proposed projects, intended policies and planned ideas and counter-ideas should dominate the discussion sphere for the electorates to decide whom they pitch their tents with.

Alas, that is not the situation as mudslinging has found its way into the political setting and now whatever is done outside the country is usually negatively executed in excess in my dear country. The ‘pull him down’ syndrome’ is what we see in today’s electioneering campaigns. Instead of presenting themselves to the electorate, they sling mud at one another, painting another as a devil and themselves as saints.

Political mudslinging could summarily be seen as negative campaigning that directly or indirectly accuses opposition candidates of wrongdoing or poor judgment. Mudslinging implies throwing mud at each other, and it is aptly named for the political tool of negative or smear campaigns.

Let’s agree that the practice is not strange to politicking but why is it being taken beyond limit even when some claims are usually not factual, objective or accurate?

A party is taking down an opponent and the opponent is doing same, then when and how will the purpose of the campaigns be actualised? What the are left with is to decide on which devil’s side they are.

Defamation of character and hate speech have been upheld as the only sure way to secure your intended seat of power.

Events that unfolded in the 2019 general elections and happenings in Edo State presently summarise all. Back in 2016, it was Godwin Obaseki for the All Progreessives Congress and Osagie Ize-Iyamu for the Peoples Democratic Party with then Governor Adams Oshiomole as an active player in the victory of the former in the election not devoid of mudslinging and name-calling by both main parties.

Fast-forward to 2020 in the same state where the tables have turned and the same candidates have switched parties as flag bearers in the  forthcoming election.

The big question on the mind of observers is what kind of water and brand of soap will the parties and their leaders and members use to cleanse the same persons they had thrown mud and dirt at years back?

Shotonwa Waheed

shotonwa.waheed@gmail.com

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