THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2015: MY ADVICE TO GENERAL BUHARI AND PROFESSOR OSIBANJO AND THE STRATEGY OF HOPE VILLA 2015 (2) BY ABBATI BAKO,psc WHAT ARE THE MEANING OF PROPAGANDA/PERSUASION/LOBBYING? PROPAGANDA, PERSUASION AND LOBBYING In modern day politics, persuasion, lobby and propaganda are indispensable components.The politics is between vision and practicality. Also, politics is a mongrel craft. So,persuasion, lobby and propaganda are indispensable tools that General Buhari/Osibanjo 2015: must use them to a maximum to achieve targeted goal. For example, in Massachusetts (USA) senatorial-by election, President Barrack Obama called for democrat party supporters to turnout massively to vote for Mrs. Martha Coakley, democrat senatorial candidate, Obama says “ –but we need your help to pay for it”. The words ‘help’ means “pleading with someone to assist, to support or to make things easier”. This is a typical example of persuasion/lobbying and good communication; such kinds of words should be used all the time to ensure voters are persuaded and be lobbied to support the candidature of Buhari/Osibanjo. As observed by Karen S. Johnson-Cartee and Gary A. Copeland, “ Persuasion sources craft messages designed to exert influence on individuals( shape perception or impression) through the tapping of psychological mechanisms, that is, affect, personality, cognitive schema, and so on. While persuasion may occur through interpersonal or mass communication channels, persuasion is far more effective on the interpersonal level, because the opportunity for true interaction allows the source to adjust the message in response to the perceived needs and reactions of “the receiver”. Also Aristotle remarked that “persuasion should trigger emotion not reasoning”. In this situation, apart from using all means of communications, door to door persuasive campaign in every village in Nigerian States will result to a very favorable outcome. Propaganda is also an important tool in democratic campaign and political marketing as well as political communication and lobbying. But what is propaganda? According to Longman dictionary of contemporary English 2002 edition, propaganda means “ information which is false or which emphasizes just one part of a situation, used by a Government or political group to make people agree with them or something done to show one political opinion”. In this respect, we are to use the first meaning for defensive reason and then use the second meaning to promote the party’s (APC) ideology or opinion. Therefore, Buhari/Osinbajo 2015 must build propaganda machine for the purpose of prevention in case of negative attack from opponent, and promoting the image and virtues of the APC candidate Buhari/Osibanjo in Nigerian States. Karen S. Johnson and Gary A. Copeland observed that, “A sound strategic communication plan always begins with one doing his homework or conducting appropriate research”. In a nutshell, propaganda campaign should not be done off-head or be framed, rather, it has to be accurately and precisely planned to avoid a negative effect on APC campaign team or the personality of General Buhari/Osinbanjo. Choukas (1965) opined (In strategic political communication 2007, Pp 77) that, “For the successful propagandist is one that is highly knowledgeable about his or her intended audience, and such knowledge comes only through extensive and intensive homework or research”. Subsequently, experts in political propaganda must be employed and be tasked with the job. Although Lai Mohammed of APC party is performing very well, but more experts need to be involved for better, accurate and precise result. May God save Nigeria and Nigerians Abbati Bako,psc,Kent,UK (Political Strategist)
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 21:51:42 +0000
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