US Election vs Nigerians, INEC
Nigerians took to social media to express their fascination and humor regarding the 2024 United States presidential election, passionately supporting their preferred candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. As the election unfolded, they playfully jabbed at Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), sarcastically revisiting the challenges and controversies of their own February 25, 2023, general elections.
Many Nigerians pointed out the stark contrast between the smooth US election process and the chaos often associated with Nigeria’s elections. They humorously asked ruling party supporters if they’d witnessed ballot-snatching, election violence, or voter intimidation in America, or if security forces protected political thugs as they did in Nigeria.
As Donald Trump’s victory seemed imminent, some social media users jokingly called on the INEC Chairman to intervene, suggesting only he could save Kamala Harris. Posts like “Na only this INEC man fit help Kamala Harris right now” went viral.
The jokes continued even after the election, with doctored photos of the candidates altering the election results to favor Harris. One viral post changed Harris’s score from 224 to 280 and reduced Trump’s from 267 to 100, accompanied by captions “Go to court” and “Breaking news: INEC declares Kamala winner.”
A judge in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, extended voting hours due to a bomb threat, prompting Nigerian users to contrast the situation with their own country. Twitter user @erotichal noted, “Nigeria is indeed several years backward. In less than 24 hours, the election results were out in the US, but in Nigeria, INEC took 4-5 days and announced the results at midnight, like a thief”.
This lighthearted commentary reflects Nigerians’ desire for transparent and efficient electoral processes, similar to those in the US. It also underscores the importance of social media in shaping public discourse and holding institutions accountable.
In Nigeria, social media has become a crucial platform for civic engagement, with many using it to discuss politics and elections. According to Idayat Hassan, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, social media can improve transparency and trust in the electoral process if used effectively
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been encouraged to develop a comprehensive social media strategy to engage voters, provide updates, and counter misinformation. By doing so, INEC can promote credibility and confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Ultimately, Nigerians’ humorous reactions to the US election highlight their aspirations for a more transparent and accountable electoral process in their own country.
