The spiral of silence theory explains that “people who have believe that they hold a majority opinion on a public issue will remain in the background where their communication will be restrained; those who believe that they hold a majority viewpoint will be more encouraged to speak” in the case of social media, they will keep promoting their choice and asking people to give them hundred and thousands of their support. This is applicable to Nigeria and in particular, Borno state politics. A person’s reluctance to express his or her opinion simply based on perceptions of what everyone around them thinks has dire implication at the level of social interest.
As one opinion gains the interest of the majority, the minority faces threat and fear of isolation in their societies. Furthermore, as the opinion gains momentum by the majority, the minority continues to be threatened and falls deeper in to silence. It continues until the minority no longer speaks out against the issue and the opinion of the perceived majority at the end of the day becomes a social norm. This theory gives us a clear picture of why some youths are not publicly expressing their views due to fear of isolation in politics. Do not be scared my dear youths, you are not too young to run and most importantly have self confidence and express yourself in public. Say No to ‘Fear of Isolation’. Youths, you have the credentials to venture into politics and say your viewpoint without any impediment. Farooq Adamu Kperogi, is a Nigerian academic, media scholar, public speaker and newspaper columnist who was one of the youths I always celebrate and i like his apt (the way he addresses issues).
He gives out the representation of what Nigerian politics is all about. Nigerians are mightily proud of him. At this juncture, I will end by calling on youths to stand fi rmly and use their youth to be productive, promote good governance and peaceful coexistence. Lawan Bukar Maigana, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri
