Keyword : Public Relations Strategies, campaigns, presidential Candidates, Political Parties and Presidential Elections
Author(s) : Abimiku, Monday Sunday; Josiah, Sabo Kente PhD & Muhammad, Sani Rabiu PhD
Abstract :
This study “Evaluation of the Public Relations Strategies Adopted by Candidates of Select Political Parties During the 2023 Presidential Elections in Nigeria”, examined the use of public relations strategies by presidential candidates of select political parties for political campaigns in Nigeria. A survey method was adopted for the study. A sample size of 400 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Three hundred and ninety-seven (397) copies of the questionnaire were completed and returned. Findings revealed that news reports/feature articles in newspapers and magazines, radio and television programmes, community relations, media relations, advertisements on various media, social media platforms display of posters, billboards, handbills banners, Town hall meetings, interpersonal communication, forum discussions, consultations on Stakeholders, visits to communities to talk to voters, sharing of food items, money, and clothes. Press conferences, releases, statements, media chat/parley by the political candidates and spoke persons, campaign rallies & tours, public lectures, symposia, gifts, and donations were the public relations strategies used by APC, PDP & LP during the 2023 Presidential Elections in Nigeria. It was found that the public relations strategies adopted for campaigns during the 2023 Nigeria presidential elections were highly effective in shaping public opinion and influencing voter behavior. This result implies that to a great extent, the public relations of the three major parties deployed good public relations strategies by exploring proactive steps which proves to be proactive. This shows how important and relevant public relations strategies are when properly applied to political campaigns especially presidential campaigns in Nigeria. Therefore, based on the findings, this paper concluded that the public relations strategies adopted for political campaigns were effective and have led to vast awareness and acceptance of the candidature of presidential candidates during the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria. It was recommended that to enhance the adoption of public relations strategies, political public relations officers and presidential campaign organizations should employ a multi-faceted approach. This includes; Building media Lists, utilize contact database software to build a comprehensive list of media contacts, segmented by outlet, geographic location, and focus area. Media outreach should be embarked upon, online newsrooms should be on the campaign website to centralize information, press releases, and multimedia content for easy access by media contacts. Strategic framing employs framing techniques to shape public discourse and influence public opinion, crisis communication, digital media, relationship management, and government collaboration. Foster partnerships with government agencies, such as ministries of information, National Orientation Agency, and NGOs, to amplify campaign messages and promote national interests. By adopting these strategies, political public relations officers and presidential campaign organizations can effectively manage their public image, communicate their message, and build support among voters.
Patriarchal Stereotypes and Feminine Resistance in Flora Nwapa’s Efuru
Solomon Awuzie, PhD; Chilenwa Ignatius Metu• & Uche Benedict Uraih, PhD
Ontological Analysis of Gender Disparity Factors in Nigerian Sports Journalism
Pius Owoicho Ogwuche; Professor Cosmos I. Eze; Professor Shamsuddeen Mohammed & Mahmud Umar Muhammed, PhD
Influence of Television Messages on the Knowledge and Adoption of Agricultural Innovation among Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria
Ucheanya Florence; Tsegyu Santas & Muhammad Sani Rabiu
Influence of Demographics of Age and Educational Attainments on Online Newspaper Readership among Civil Servants in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Sunday Jessie Antai; Prof. Church Akpan & Bassey Esuk Bassey, Ph.D
Perception of South-East Women on 2024 Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment’s Media Campaign Messages on Adaptation and Mitigation of Heat Waves
Obini Onuchukwu & Prof. Angela Nkiru Nwammuo, PhD
Evaluation of Social Media Influence on Benin City Residents' Perception of the 2024 Okuama Bloodbath in Delta State, Nigeria
Josephine Osatohanmwen Adeyeye, PhD•; Adédèjì Fred Aríjeníwà & Emeke Precious Nwaoboli
Comparative Analysis of Social Media and Church Influence on Obidient Movement in 2023 General Elections and its Diplomatic Impacts on Domestic and International Interest
Blessed F. Ngonso, PhD; Chioma Njoku, PhD; Amah Maclean Williams PhD; Onyedikachi Stanley Onovo & Uche Benedict Uraih, PhD
IJALMS Vol. 5, No. 1 2025 Preliminary Pages
IJALMS
Comparative Analysis of Social Media and Church Influence on Obidient Movement in 2023 General Elections and its Diplomatic Impacts on Domestic and International Interest
Blessed F. Ngonso, PhD; Chioma Njoku, PhD; Amah Maclean Williams PhD; Onyedikachi Stanley Onovo & Uche Benedict Uraih, PhD
IJALMS Vol. 5. No 1 June 2025 Preliminary Pages
IJALMS
Community Perception and Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility Activities by the Oil Producing Companies in Bayelsa State
Seiyefa Clifford Wilson; Andrew Asan Ate; Wilfred Oritsesan Olley & Ewomazino Daniel Akpor
Public Perception of Political Disinformation and Trust in Mainstream Media during Electoral Campaigns in Nigeria
Wilfred Oritsesan Olley & Okoro Ferdinand Eloke
Evaluation of the Public Relations Strategies Adopted by Candidates of Select Political Parties during the 2023 Presidential Elections in Nigeria
Abimiku, Monday Sunday; Josiah, Sabo Kente PhD & Muhammad, Sani Rabiu PhD
Employee-Management Relations and Productivity in Select Government Ministries in Akwa Ibom State
Blessing Ufot Urua
Journalists’ Perspective of Fact-checking Applications in Curbing Fake News in Nigeria
Arikenbi, Peter Gbenga & Ikharo Seluman