In today’s digital landscape, the lines between genuine activism, performative outrage and sheer misinformation have become disturbingly blurred. Social media, once a promising tool for civic engagement and accountability, has morphed into a toxic battleground dominated not by thoughtful discourse but by sensationalism, tribalism and a troubling lack of intellectual rigour.
The distinction between true activists and a swelling tribe of self-proclaimed influencers and semi-educated agitators is becoming harder to make. These individuals flood the digital space with ill-considered posts, half-baked opinions, and emotionally charged rhetoric, often with little understanding of the issues they claim to champion. They ride on trending hashtags not out of sincere concern but for clout, likes, and social currency. In this noisy environment, the substance is drowned by spectacle.
Adding fuel to this fire are failed politicians, desperate for relevance, and paid propagandists whose sole agenda is to destabilise the public sphere. Together, they manufacture outrage, distort facts, and make reckless pronouncements on weighty national matters. Their utter disregard for nuance or consequence is alarming, especially given the fragile state of national unity in Nigeria. These online campaigns, rife with conspiracy theories, doctored footage, and unverified allegations, pose a significant threat to our collective cohesion.
One of the most alarming developments is the persistent vilification of public figures, particularly those who are socially or politically exposed. Fake news and defamatory narratives are freely circulated under the guise of “freedom of expression.” Reputations are dragged through the mud with impunity, and sacred legal principles, such as the presumption of innocence and the laws of libel, are trampled upon without a second thought.
Even the judiciary, once considered a last bastion of order and balance, is not spared. When court judgments fail to favour certain individuals or groups, particularly litigants who have lost patience or political favour, judges are instantly branded as corrupt. These allegations are made with little or no evidence—just raw emotion and social media mob approval. The sanctity of the judicial process is thereby undermined, and the long-term consequences of this erosion of faith in our courts are nothing short of dangerous.
A key example of the harm caused by this toxic environment is the current trend of political defections. While cross-carpeting is not a new phenomenon in Nigerian politics, and in many ways reflects the fluid nature of party loyalty in our system, it is now being used as a cudgel to inflame ethnic tensions and regional animosities. Unscrupulous bloggers, influencers, and even respected television talk show guests have turned every political realignment into an opportunity to sow discord, distort intentions, and stoke pre-election hysteria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Natasha/Akpabio controversy is another telling case. Despite being a subject of active litigation, it continues to fuel media skirmishes across social platforms. This violates long-standing legal norms which prohibit public commentary on matters sub judice. Yet the principle of restraint, which should guide responsible journalism and activism, is routinely ignored in the rush to go viral.
Meanwhile, the media and public discourse are failing to address what truly matters: the performance of our elected officials. As we approach the crucial midterm point of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, discussions should centre around accountability, governance outcomes, and the tangible dividends of democracy. Instead, the national conversation is being hijacked by gossip, ethnic posturing, and the fevered plotting of how to unseat a sitting president three years before the next general elections.
Similarly, the ongoing political quarrel between former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Sim Fubara, continues to be sensationalised far beyond its actual impact on national politics. While the matter is already before the courts, it remains a hot topic in public discourse. Rather than allow the legal process or a political resolution to take its course, media and online commentators keep stoking the flames. This kind of persistent muscle-flexing has yielded no progress since the crisis began and serves only to distract from more pressing governance challenges.
In all of this, we must not lose sight of what responsible civic engagement should look like. Real activism demands clarity, integrity and a commitment to truth. It is not the amplification of every rumour, nor the mindless bashing of institutions. As a nation, we must rise above the noise and resist the pull of digital toxicity. Our democracy depends on it.
•Ayodeji is a speaker, counsellor and author. He can be reached on 09059243004 (SMS & WhatsApp)