Google’s new portal for Nigeria’s 2023 elections interfering internal affairs?
Whereas Google has unveiled a new portal — the Nigeria Elections Trends Hub which it claims is in support of the upcoming 2023 Presidential elections, divergent views have greeted the development.
Just as some diplomatic affairs analysts have started reading meanings to the site, saying it may surreptitiously interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs with some contents, others say the sensitivity of the 2023 election may be in danger. Recall Google is an international firm owned by America.
However, Google has said the platform is for Nigerians to search and discover trending interests related to the presidential and vice presidential candidates, parties, and issues through the lens of Google Trends.
The page, which can be accessed on the Google Trends website https://goo.gle/NigeriaElectionTrends, allows users to compare the search popularity of the presidential candidates and trending questions being asked about them.
“The portal features maps and graphs displaying the search interest for the candidates over a period of 30 days.
This is a part of a broader initiative by Google to support the 2023 elections, which also includes trainings for new and media publishers on how to effectively use YouTube to tell election stories and training from the Google News Lab to help journalists learn how to use search and other Google tools for better storytelling, including data visualization, verification and fact-checking.
Business Hilights recalls that earlier this week, President Muhammadu Buhari warned foreign representatives not to interfere in internal affairs of Nigeria as the country is preparing for general election set to kick off on 25th February, 2023.
The President spoke while receiving Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan, at State House, presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina said in a statement.
The presidency averred in the statement that “I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to the elections and the conduct of the general elections itself,” the President told the new ambassadors.”
