Osun Election: Banwo Warns Opposition Against Relying on Social Media Popularity
Social critic and founder of Naija Lives Matter, Dr. Ope Banwo, has warned opposition political parties against relying excessively on social media popularity, hashtags and public rallies as they prepare for the 2027 general election.
Banwo said the outcome of the Osun State governorship election had again demonstrated the importance of building strong grassroots structures capable of converting political support into actual votes.
Analysing the election and its implications for 2027, Banwo argued that political parties seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) must look beyond online visibility and develop effective mechanisms for voter mobilisation and vote protection.
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According to him, having a large following on social media does not necessarily translate into electoral strength at the polling unit.
He said opposition parties needed to establish structures that could function effectively at the ward, local government and state levels, particularly during voting and results collation.
“Everybody can trend hashtags. Everybody can organise rallies. But elections are ultimately won through organisation, not vibes,” Banwo said.
The social critic identified trained polling agents as one of the most important areas opposition parties should focus on ahead of 2027.
He said parties should ensure that their agents understand electoral procedures and are capable of monitoring voting, documenting results and responding appropriately to issues that may arise at polling units.
Banwo also advocated the deployment of technology to support voter mobilisation, election monitoring and results collation, arguing that political parties should not wait until election day before testing their systems.
He said the period between now and 2027 provided an opportunity for opposition parties to identify weaknesses in their electoral machinery and develop practical solutions.
According to him, every election before the 2027 presidential contest should be regarded as an opportunity to test personnel, technology, communication channels and legal response mechanisms.
Banwo said opposition parties should also invest in sustained engagement with voters rather than appearing only during election campaigns.
He maintained that political organisation should extend beyond social media and involve direct engagement with communities and voters at the grassroots.
The social critic said online campaigns could complement, but not replace, the traditional political structures required to win elections.
He urged opposition leaders to learn from the experience of the Osun election and begin building their structures early.
Banwo said political parties that genuinely intend to challenge the APC in 2027 must demonstrate their strength not only online but also at polling units across the country.
He added that effective organisation, voter mobilisation and vote protection would be critical factors in determining the outcome of the next presidential election.
