Chude Jideonwo speaks on the role of social media during elections

On May 29, 2015, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhariwas sworn into power. One of the things that helped the President’s election campaign was his use of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Chude Jideonwo is the co-founder and managing partner of Red Media Africa, which is the parent company of StateCraft, the communications firm that handled the President’s election social media campaign.

Pulse Nigeria spoke to him about how social media helped in getting the President elected at the recently held Access Conference 2015 in Lagos, Nigeria.

“It helped to shape his narrative. It helped to speak directly to audiences where it was difficult because of political and economic considerations", Jideonwo said.

“It helped him galvanize his followers, volunteers, contributors . . . voters.

“It helped to crystalize as it were, the aspirations of a generation of Nigerians who wanted it to be clear that they wanted change”.

He revealed that the campaign went beyond online media and also employed the use of traditional media such as television and radio.

Jideonwo is also a lawyer and journalist. At the conference he spoke on the topic: "How can social media help elect a president?" alongside Twitter's Creative Strategist Jonathan Henning.

This year’s Access Bank leadership conference 2015 theme was 'Leading in a Transformational World - The Imperative of Innovation'. Sky News journalist Lucy Alexander moderated the event.

It was also attended by co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak, Chief Executive Officer Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, President of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Aigboje AIG-Imokhuede, Chairman First Bank Group, Ibukun Awosika.

Watch Chude Jideonwo’s interview in Pulse TV video above.  View pictures from the event in the gallery below: