Every four years, when elections are approaching, thousands and thousands of party-political posters start to invade our cityscape. This has become almost a campaign weapon for parties" rivalries over urban space and for politicians to demonstrate their power and demarcate their territories. It is a visual performance of power.
In this work, I delve into the role of political posters in everyday party politicking in Nigeria, where they have become an almost normal or naturalized habitual repertoire of political action.
Printing in Nigeria is a growing industry that is becoming increasingly important to political culture. It is worth millions, despite still using artisanal methods in most places. Posters, banners, and billboards are never big enough for politicians to impregnate our minds with their electoral ambition. Campaign after campaign, the posters are twice as large, twice as tall, and always more dominant than the previous one.
The candidates want to convince voters that they would be the best choice to run their life, through portraits that mimic historical and reassuring political leaders, either smiling or with emotionless faces. For the few months of the campaign, they are everywhere, on every corner, every street or bridge, and major road. We, as citizens, experience the hyper-visibility of politics before the images tarnish and the promises fade.
© 2024 Fawaz Oyedeji. All rights reserved.