Mobilizing against failing media and resisting a failed political system: Mass self-communication for the redemption of the Nigerian state

Abstract

Abstract There is a notion that Nigeria as a nation has failed in many aspects of its national life. However, the failure of the nation’s political system is perhaps of greatest consequence because everything is tied to the way the political architecture is managed and the survival of any nation depends on its political fabric. The pogrom in parts of the nation, cultural catastrophe, social malady, religious confusion, economic debacle, infrastructure crisis, weakness of institutions of government, ethnic hatred and communal clashes and the palpable insecurity in Nigeria are all evidence of absence of governance and indication of the inability of political leaders to provide leadership in real sense of the word. While acknowledging the media as a critical partner in governance and the capacity of media people to mobilize the populace and leaders towards the proper management of the nation, this paper notes that rather than do this, the media in Nigeria have quickened the process that has brought about Nigeria’s political failure. The paper proposes that the people should take up the responsibility of mobilizing themselves through mass self-communication using the social media platforms. Since these platforms have given back to them, the power of journalism, citizens can reject the narrative that sees nothing wrong in the status quo and through this process initiate a trend that will get the media to be responsible and effective in carrying out their watchdog function. It will also compel a political re-orientation and ultimately change the way politicians run the nation.