Blogging is all about publishing your intentions, thoughts, ideas, philosophies, solutions, products/services online with the hope of gaining acceptance, impacting knowledge, sparking conversation/discussion or intense debate and selling yourself to a wide spectrum of people.
Rigging on the other hand according to BBC dictionary is the process of dishonestly arranging something such as election so that you achieve the result that you want.
Rigging from my own point of view is raping the electorate to satisfy your political urges.
Whether you like it or not, democracy has come to stay in Africa. The uniqueness of African politics is it's brutality, ruggedity and mortality, but the trend is rapidly changing.
Right now on the political stage, we have Dictators rather than Mentors. Rulers instead of leaders. These Dictators/Rulers do not see leadership as influence but rather as a tool of oppression. They embark on violent rigging and blood shed to seize power instead of following due process by winning the hearts of the electorate.
To answer my question, political elections are won by blogging rather than rigging. I see the emergence of a new African leaders who will not resort to rigging but will use blogging as a tool for gaining acceptance, influencing people's choice and evaluating their leadership capabilities as perceived by the electorate.
A good example of this phenomenon i'm describing is Prof. Pat Utomi of Nigeria whose blog www.patistopost.com is a premier political blog that is winning the heart of young people to his candidature come 2011. This man is worthy of emulation as far as 21st century politics is concern.
To grab the hearts of the youth, you have to meet them where they are right now-Online. The treasure chest of the world right now lies in a virtual environment called internet and blog occupies a good percentage of space.
Reasons why political blogging is ideal for aspiring politicians are;
1. Political surveys via online poll is very effective and resultful.
2. Audio-Visual platform like internet is the best medium to persuade people by passing across your political intentions.
3. Photos speaks louder than voice.
4. People browse more than they watch television and see posters on the street. They won't waste their precious time to come to your political rally under hot sun.
5. You are percieved as an open minded, creative and innovative 21st century leader
6. The cheapest and most result driven form of political marketing.
My conclusion:
I'm aware that several of our politicians don't have the time to blog. But they can hire some of us who are internet geeks to create and manage their political blogs for them. In the United states, Presidential, Senatorial and Gubernatorial candidates hire young IT smart people to help them manage their blog. Africa is not an exception. Make up your mind to own a political blog today. Your success is guaranteed!
To your political success,
ADAMA J.ADAMA
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