Political Parties Unite at Social Media Summit to Tackle Hostile Content Ahead of 2027 Elections
In a bid to foster healthier political development and counter hostile content on social media, Hafizu Kawu, former member representing Tarauni Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, has brought together social media users from various political parties for a two-day seminar focused on responsible political discourse.
The event, organized by the Hafizu Kawu Media Team in collaboration with the Council of Ulama of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, featured participants from several political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The seminar aimed to address the growing issue of politically charged, harmful social media content and encourage more respectful dialogue.
Experts Discuss Social Media Misuse and Its Impact on Politics
During the seminar, renowned Professor of Communication at Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Abdallah Uba Adamu, addressed the misuse of social media by politicians. He acknowledged the importance of social media but expressed concern over how it is often mishandled.
“This effort will go a long way in addressing critical areas of mishandling the media, especially social media,” Prof. Adamu stated. “Social media in itself is not harmful. It is the users who are mishandling the process. I am thrilled to see that this summit is organized to purposely aim at reforming and promoting decency in modern political practices.”
The professor commended Kawu and the Council for their proactive efforts, especially with the 2027 elections on the horizon.
Sheikh Khalil Emphasizes Morality and Responsibility in Social Media Use
Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, the Chairman of the Kano Chapter of the Council of Ulama, spoke on the moral responsibilities of social media users, urging them to align their actions with religious values. He reminded participants that “whoever believes in the Day of Reckoning must therefore watch his tongue and be careful about what to post or share with the public.”
Legal Experts Call for Vigilance Against Defamation and Legal Breaches
Legal expert Bar. Bashir Musaddique highlighted key legal issues such as defamation of character and the legal breaches that can arise from reckless social media use, particularly by politically inclined users. He cautioned participants, stating, “Those politicians sending you to defame people’s characters are only using you for their selfish ends. You should ask yourselves, why are their children not participating in such unwanted behaviors?”
The seminar concluded with a call for more such initiatives to maintain momentum in promoting ethical political engagement on social media. Experts recommended organizing similar events at regular intervals to continue fostering responsible discourse.
