Pot of soup politics: ‘Data Boys’ are destroying objectivity in Nigeria’s democracy

By Tunmise Ajeigbe

I’m even shocked that our sole called journalists are queuing behind this phenomenon. In this dispensation, to be a “data boy” pays better than being a newsroom personnel. I ask again, is this objectivity of subjectivity? Our “pot of soups” will not allow many of us to think straight again.

Who else remember the movie “Gang of Lagos”??

The movie that exposes deep sh*t happening in Isale Eko and the world of unwarranted classism as it may be. “Eleniyan” and “Eruku”; the owners of men and the men owned by the owners. Isn’t this a fairy tale.

For me, it’s left for them and the theories guiding their path. But wait ooo, they say na Eruku Dey turn Eleniyan, which means you must serve oga first before you become oga. This questions the adage “kings are born and not made”.

Then comes, where I am going exactly, I recently heard about a new phrase in English Language “Data Boys”. I just laughed and asked myself see how diminish politicians have made us weak that we ourselves are now the weapons using against ourselves.

Data Boys are group of people hired by politicians to spread, defend, engage and attack narratives, they issues threats to opponents as well. Some of them are carefully being groom to becoming political enigma. But the chances are just too slim. Oga must have you so well before this stage.

I remember one of my Egbons In Ekiti, this Egbon go wish me happy birthday, text me and always react to issue raised by concerned Ekiti Indigene like myself that time, I never know say this Egbon Dey work as Data boy for the then governor, now this Egbon don go Abuja, he’s now one of the eminent honorables in the green chamber. I no go mention names.

Data boys, they are always online, defending their “pot of soup”. They’ll never agree that their principals have shortcomings. They think they are making image for them, whereas they are destroying themselves. They see themselves as online soldiers for politicians who have children abroad, leaving them languishing on dashed hope.

I was part of the journalists who were critical about the character “Peter Obi” in 2023. I gained lots of enemies and foes who our political standing seemed alternate, because they act as if their political principal is their brain. I wrote extensively on Peter Obi uses falsehood to gain strength and he suddenly gain unhealthy momentum.

Today, election battle has gone beyond ballot boxes, it has now become games of the mind, just like chess game, my favorite of all. Everyone wants to prove point, by seeking validation from politicians who ordinarily can’t do something for free.

I’m even shocked that our sole called journalists are queuing behind this phenomenon. In this dispensation, to be a “data boy” pays better than being a newsroom personnel. I ask again, is this objectivity of subjectivity? Our “pot of soups” will not allow many of us to think straight again.

Even our university professors are not left behind in this, they kiss ass too. Professors now professing saw-dust. Many of our academic scholars have joined in the act of propagating bad fruit. All in the name of “pot of soup”.

Nigerian politicians are very good in doing one thing, creating a problem, and using that problem to cause division. When the divide is visible, they are happy, because they see strength in it.

Instead of wanting to be a “data boy” for a politician who no send your papa, ask yourself does your innovation matters to you or you are just an “Agbero” that coordinates passengers but doesn’t travel with the passengers.

A word is enough for the wise.

Tunmise Ajeigbe is a Nigerian Journalist, Public Affairs Analyst. He can be reached on tunmiseajeigbe@gmail.com and +234 814 610 9636