In today’s high-stakes political environment, governance no longer plays out solely in town halls, legislative chambers, or on the ground with infrastructure projects. Increasingly, the battleground for influence and public trust has shifted to the digital sphere — where narratives are shaped, reputations forged or broken, and political fortunes often rise or fall. In Osun State, Nigeria, this new arena of digital contestation has become critically important. The opposition — led by the All Progressive Congress (APC) — appears to be waging a systematic war of perception against the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leveraging social media to influence public opinion and erode confidence in the state government’s achievements.
Across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp groups, there’s a palpable trend of coordinated messaging designed to cast the Adeleke administration in a consistently negative light. These narratives often highlight controversies, challenge the legitimacy of governance decisions, and amplify unverified claims about insecurity, maladministration, or alleged underperformance. While political opposition and critique are normal features of democratic societies, there is growing concern that what we’re witnessing in Osun is more than organic criticism — it is a strategic digital campaign to shape public perception ahead of future political contests.
The Opposition’s Digital Strategy: Narratives, Noise, and Influence
Political opponents in Osun frequently push narratives that question the competence, ethics, and achievements of Governor Adeleke’s government. In multiple instances, the APC has been accused — both by the governor’s aides and independent observers — of spreading what the state government describes as “fake news” aimed at discrediting official programmes. For example, the state’s spokesperson responded to claims about alleged large-scale teacher and health-worker layoffs — labelling them fabricated distortions rather than facts, backed by official administration policy details.
Furthermore, the APC has continued to issue statements that frame the governor’s actions as misuse of power or manipulations of democratic processes. Critics from the party have described his administration’s enforcement of court rulings and public security decisions as politically motivated or destabilising, especially around contentious local council issues.
These tactics are not unique to Osun. Studies on social media’s role in Nigerian politics show that platforms such as Facebook and X are powerful tools for mobilising political support and shaping public discourse. In the 2023 national elections, for example, these platforms played a significant role in driving voter engagement and influencing perceptions about candidates and policies. However, this influence has a dual edge: while social media enables greater engagement, it also becomes fertile ground for misinformation, polarization, and echo chambers — environments in which emotionally charged or sensational narratives spread rapidly and often without verification.
Governor Adeleke’s Response: Statements, Counterclaims, and Governance Messaging
The official replies from the Osun State Government are not absent, but they have been far less amplified than the opposition’s content. Statements from the governor’s camp have primarily focused on rebutting specific claims, emphasising policy successes, and reassuring citizens about stability and development.
For example, in late 2025 Governor Adeleke reaffirmed that his administration has brought significant progress to Osun through major infrastructure projects, improvements in public services, welfare policies, and economic opportunities for citizens — framing critics as out of touch or driven by political motives.
At other times, his spokesperson directly cautioned opposition figures against spreading “fake news,” stressing that certain claims — such as non-existent infrastructure failures or fabricated layoffs — were inaccuracies devoid of factual support.
On the topic of peace and security, Governor Adeleke publicly warned against alleged plans by opposition elements to disrupt civil order, particularly leading up to local government polls. These concerns were communicated in official statements intended to project authority, safeguard law and order, and counter suggestions of rising instability.
The Missing Piece: A Proactive Digital Public Engagement Strategy
Despite these efforts, the administration’s digital outreach has largely been reactive rather than proactive. Rather than consistently shaping the narrative, official responses tend to arrive after a damaging or persistent opposition storyline has gained traction online. This situation is concerning for three strategic reasons:
1. Narratives Fill the Vacuum: In the world of social media, silence or delayed response is often interpreted as weakness or concession. When government responses lag behind oppositional content, the public’s perception of credibility and strength can erode — even if the official facts are on the government’s side.
2. Perception Drives Public Opinion: Studies show that social media does not just reflect public opinion — it creates it, especially among young voters who rely less on traditional media. Without an organised presence capable of shaping stories early, the opposition often defines the conversation.
3. Trust and Unverified Information: The rapid spread of unverified claims fosters distrust in key public institutions — a dangerous trend in any democracy. In Nigeria, where misinformation has previously shaped movements and political outcomes (e.g., #EndSARS), this danger is not abstract but grounded in recent history.
For these reasons, it’s not enough for the state government to occasionally rebut false claims. What is required — and urgently — is a well-funded, strategic, and technically savvy digital communications team capable of:
Producing consistent, engaging, and fact-based content about governance successes, policy impacts, and future plans.
Deploying rapid response mechanisms to address misinformation before it spreads widely.
Utilizing influencers, credible voices, and digital ambassadors to amplify positive narratives and reach broader audiences.
Leveraging tools such as SEO-optimized content, multimedia storytelling (videos, infographics, podcasts), and targeted digital outreach.
Fostering digital literacy among citizens so they can critically evaluate political content online.
Why This Matters for Osun’s Future
The stakes in Osun are not just about political rivalry — they concern the legitimacy of governance, trust in public institutions, and the quality of democratic engagement in the state. As political competition intensifies heading into key electoral cycles, the narrative that shapes public opinion can be almost as impactful as the policies themselves.
Governor Adeleke’s administration has achievements worth showcasing — from infrastructure improvements and social services enhancements to economic programmes that touch ordinary lives. These successes deserve a strategic amplification so they can be presented clearly and compellingly to citizens, countering misinformation before it morphs into entrenched public belief.
Without such a strategy, the opposition’s “army of online soldiers,” real or organically formed, will continue to dictate conversations and shape public perception in ways that may unfairly disadvantage the government’s performance record and electoral prospects.
Conclusion: Act Now or Fall Behind
The government of Osun faces a critical decision point. The digital battleground is forging political realities in real time, and the opposition has proven adept at occupying that space.
What is needed now is not silence, nor sporadic messaging, but a fully resourced digital communication command — backed by research, strategy, and speed — that can proactively tell the story of governance, achievement, and vision.
It’s time for Governor Adeleke’s administration to fund and build an organised team of online advocates and communication professionals who can shape narratives rather than merely respond to them.
In the age of social media democracy, perception doesn’t just matter — it determines outcomes. And right now, Osun cannot afford to leave this battlefield undefended.
0 Comments