2023: Opinion Poll is Necessary Just Like Campaigns- FactualTimes Editor
By Oyewale Oyelola
The Managing Editor FactualTimes and a lecturer in Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Oyewale Oyelola has stated that opinion polls are necessary to guage candidates’ acceptability ahead of 2023 general elections.
Oyewale Oyelola disclosed this during the weekend while featuring on “Roundtable Discussion on the Outcome of Online Poll Drive for Political Candidates in Kwara State” organized by 9japarrot Digital Media.
He said it has become culture of politicians to become touchy, if the outcome of Opinion Poll do not favor their camp.
FactualTimes Editor explained that Opinion Poll is critical party of electioneering process which include town hall meeting, debate, voter’s mobilization and others.
“It’s disturbing to see politicians celebrating debates coming out to condemn debate. Participating in Opinion Poll is volunteer, hence politicians need to sensitize their supporters on importance of Opinion Poll.” He explained.
In his address, a Global Goals Youth Panel Member and Executive Director, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Abideen Olasupo described Opinion Poll as one of the different activities during election process, noting that credible Opinion Poll would help the people understand visibility of candidates ahead the election.
Olasupo Abideen however called on candidates of different Political Parties to make their manifesto Public to guide the citizens in making informed decision.
While commending 9japarrot for conducting credible Online Opinion Poll in Kwara State, he charged them to step verification mechanism to ensure participants registered for election in coverage area.
On his part, Mr Abdulrazak Moruf, a graduate of Political Science and Lecturer in Liberal Studies department, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti said the effort by the convener aimed at improving democratic good governance is timely given that elections are coming up in a matter of months and campaigns are ongoing.
According to him, Opinion polls are as important as actual voting during elections as they provide candidates with the ‘hail mary’ chance to either consolidate or re-strategize. Conducting Opinion polls has become a compelling necessity for both the candidates and the electorates with attendant consequences on their political behaviors.
“The importance of opinion polls cannot be overemphasized in the run up to a general elections as the outcome is expected to shape up events before, during and after elections. Politicians, Political Parties and political entrepreneurs today rely on the outcome of opinion polls to measure their readiness and gauge their chances at the polls.” He explained.
Also adding his views, Mr Omokehinde noted that the Opinion Poll result will beneficial to the candidates in formulating campaign strategies.
His words: “Kudos to 9Ja Parrot Media and Communications for embarking on this wonderful initiative.What you have done would be beneficial to all the major stakeholders in the electoral process i.e the candidates, political parties and electorates.
” Majorly, the results will be beneficial to the candidates in formulating campaign strategies as it will help to make an empirically proven decision. It will help to conduct a thorough SWOT analysis of their popularity, if only they are going to take the results of the poll in good fate.”
Earlier, the Publisher 9japorrot Digital Media Communication, Saeed Tijjani stated reasons for conducting Opinion Polls in Kwara State ahead 2023 general elections.
Saeed Tijjani noted that the Social Democratic Party Candidates; Hakeem Lawal and Prof Wale Sulaiman respectively won the governorship and Kwara South Senatorial district Online OPINION POLL while Mallam Saliu Mustapha emerged winner in Kwara Central Senatorial district win wide margin.