In political theory, “politics of fear” refers to the deliberate production and amplification of fear to secure power, shape opinion and justify the measures.
Some politicians depend on massive turnout to win; others thrive when citizens are too afraid to leave their homes to vote. The recent stream of videos from Benin City, of attacks on politicians and the vandalisation of a party state secretariat, reprises a familiar script in Nigeria’s fear based politics. They are harrowing reminders that this second logic is still an active strategy.
In political theory, “politics of fear” refers to the deliberate production and amplification of fear to secure power, shape opinion and justify the measures.
