Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Public Relations Strategies in Managing Political Parties’ Crises in Rivers State, Nigeria

Okonkwo Oluchi O, Christopher Justice Njoku2 Richard N. Amadi3

Abstract

This study investigated public relations strategies for managing political party crises in Rivers State. Guided by two objectives, it examined the PR strategies adopted by political parties and the benefits derived from them. Two research questions were raised. Anchored on Agenda Setting and Excellence Theories, the study adopted a survey design with a population of 9,898,470 residents. A sample of 400 was determined using Taro Yamane's formula through multi-stage sampling. Questionnaire was used for data collection, and data were analysed using Weighted Mean Score. Of 400 copies administered, 380 were retrieved and analysed. Findings revealed that crisis communication, social media engagement and stakeholder engagement were the dominant strategies adopted, while shaping public opinion, rebuilding credibility and securing stakeholder support were major benefits. The study concludes that PR is functional but often reduced to propaganda and recommends regular evaluation of PR strategies and institutional frameworks promoting good governance, transparency and accountability.

Keywords

Public RelationsPolitical CrisisPolitical PartiesRivers StateCrisis Communication

References

Adebayo, R., & Nwosu, F. (2022). Wike under fire for crackdown on opposition in Rivers State. The Cable. https://www.thecable.ng/wike-under-fire-for-crackdown-on-opposition-in- rivers-state Adegbite, K. (2022). Political crises in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. Ibadan University Press. Adegboyega, A. (2021). Crisis communication in Nigerian politics. Lagos Press. Adesina, O. (2021). Public relations strategies in Nigerian crises. African Communication Journal, 14(3), 85-95. Adetula, V. (2023). Crisis of governance in Nigeria. African Governance Review, 12(2), 90-105. Adeyemi, A. (2021). Public relations and crisis management in Nigeria. Lagos University Press. Adibe, K., & Nwosu, O. (2022). Strategic communication in multicultural societies. African Communications Journal, 15(2), 40-52. Adigun, O., & Adebayo, M. (2022). Nigeria’s 2023 elections and the integrity crisis in the PDP: A review of G-5 governors’ rebellion. Journal of African Political Studies, 14(2), 22–41. Agbakwuru, J. (2013). How Rivers Assembly crisis escalated. Vanguard Nigeria. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/how-rivers-assembly-crisis-escalated/ Agbo, A. (2019). Wike's political strategy: Confrontation and consolidation. Tell Magazine, 35(7), 10–15. Amaeshi, K. M., Adi, B. C., Ogbechie, C., & Amao, O. O. (2006). Corporate social responsibility in Nigeria: Western mimicry or indigenous influences? Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 8(24), 83–99. Ansell, C., Boin, A., & Keller, A. (2021). Governing crises. Cambridge University Press. Asemah, E. S. (2011). Public relations and democratic governance in Nigeria: A critical analysis. Journal of Research in National Development, 9(2), 12–20. Babaleye, T., & Adelakun, J. G. (2024). Assessment of public relations strategies in crisis management during the 2020 #ENDSARS Protest and “Lekki Shooting” in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Technology, 6(1&2), 122. Bamgbose, J. A. (2020). Party primaries, candidate selection, and internal democracy in Nigeria: The APC and PDP in perspective. African Journal of Politics and Society, 6(1), 89–103. Barton, L. (2021). Crisis leadership now. McGraw-Hill. Benoit, W. L. (1995). Accounts, excuses, and apologies: A theory of image restoration strategies. State University of New York Press. Birkland, T. (2021). Lessons of disaster. Georgetown University Press. Black, S. (2009). Introduction to public relations. London: West African Book Publisher. Boin, A., & McConnell, A. (2022). Governing the pandemic. Palgrave Macmillan. Boin, A., Ekengren, M., & Rhinard, M. (2021). Understanding political crisis. Oxford University Press. Boin, A., 't Hart, P., & McConnell, A. (2020). Governing after crisis. Cambridge University Press. Boin, A., t'Hart, P., & Stern, E. (2023). The politics of crisis management (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. Botan, C. H., & Hazleton, V. (2006). Public relations theory II. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Broom, G. M., & Sha, B. L. (2021). Cutlip & Center’s effective public relations (12th ed.). Pearson. Chmielecki, M., & Lisowski, M. (2019). The use of social media in Public Relations in Poland and the United Kingdom – case studies from automotive industry. Journal of Intercultural Management, 5(5), 49–64. E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 Claeys, A. S., & Cauberghe, V. (2012). Crisis response and crisis timing strategies, two sides of the same coin. Public Relations Review, 38(1), 83–88. Egwu, S. (2023). Nigeria's perpetual crisis. Journal of African Political Studies, 15(1), 49-67. Egwuonwu, O., Kabuoh, G., & Ajike, D. (2015). The imperatives of public relations strategies and Nigeria vision 20:20:20 development goals. Journal of Promotion Management, 14(3), 139–151. Eweje, G. (2006). Environmental costs and responsibilities resulting from oil exploitation in developing countries: The case of the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Journal of Business Ethics, 69(1), 27–56. Eze, N. C. (2022). Political repression and shrinking civic space in Nigeria’s South-South region: The case of Rivers State. African Governance Review, 10(3), 105–122. Fanafa, J.D. (2016). An Assessment of the Application of Public Relations in The Management of Crises in Selected Nigerian Universities. Published thesis. Makurdi: Benue State University. Fearn-Banks, K. (2016). Crisis communications: A casebook approach (5th ed.). Routledge. Fearn-Banks, K. (2022). Crisis communications (5th ed.). Routledge. Fill, B. (2019). Public relations as a management function in Nigerian Banks. Communication Review, 6(2), 78-99. Gall, M. D. Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2007). Educational research: An introduction (8th ed.). United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc. Gregory, A. (2020). Public relations in practice (3rd ed.). Kogan Page. Grunig, J. E. (1992). Communication, public relations and effective public relations: An overview of the book.’ in J.E. Grunig (Ed.). Excellence in Public Relations and Communication Management, 1-28. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Grunig, J. E. (1992). Excellence in public relations and communication management. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Grunig, J. E. (2001). Two-way symmetrical public relations: Past, present, and future. In R. L. Heath (Ed.), Handbook of Public Relations, 11–30. Sage. Grunig, J. E. (2006). Furnishing the Edifice: On gong research on public relations as a strategic management function; In Adoory, L. (Ed) Journal of Public Relations Research, 18(2), 67- 80. Grunig, J. E., & Grunig, L. A. (1992). Excellence in public relations and communication management. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Grunig, J. E., & Hunt, T. (1984). Managing public relations. Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Grunig, J. E., & Hunt, T. (2018). Managing public relations. Routledge. Heath, R. L. (2021). Encyclopedia of public relations (2nd ed.). SAGE. Heavens, U. O., & Emenike, I. U. (2024). The Use of Public Relations in Political Campaigns in Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science , 8(7), 1134 – 1140. Holtzhausen, D. R. (2000). Postmodern values in public relations. Journal of Public Relations Research, 12(1), 93–114. Ibaba, S. I., & Ikelegbe, A. (2017). The Nigerian state and the politics of elections in the Niger Delta. Niger Delta Journal of Political Economy, 2(1), 1–25. Ibeanu, O. (2006). Civil society and conflict management in the Niger Delta. CLEEN Foundation Monograph Series, 2. Lagos: CLEEN Foundation. E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 Ibeanu, O., & Nwankwo, C. (2022). Political instability in Nigeria. African Governance Papers, 8(3), 110-125. Ibeanu, O., & Orji, N. (2020). Party systems, hegemony and opposition weakness in Nigeria’s subnational politics. Nigerian Journal of Politics, 15(2), 98–120. Ibrahim, Y., & Bello, M. (2022). Organizational crisis management in Nigeria. Journal of African Management, 8(2), 30-45. Igbuzor, O. (2019). Youth unemployment, violence, and state fragility in the Niger Delta. Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development Working Paper, 7(4), 1–17. Inyengar, S., & Kinder, D. R. (1987). News that matters: Television and American opinion. University of Chicago Press. Kalu, C. O., Igyuve, A., & Akase, T. M. (2024), Public Perception on the Role of Public Relations Strategies for Peace-Building During Political Activities in Nigeria. British Journal of Mass Communication and Media Research, 4(3), 93-105. Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of social media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68. Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., & Gurevitch, M. (1973). Uses and gratifications research. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509–523. https://doi.org/10.1086/268109 Lattimore, D., Baskin, O., Heiman, S. T., & Toth, (2007). Public relations: The profession and the practice. New York: McGraw-Hill Co. Inc. Ledingham, S., & Bruning, D. (2020). Public Relations as relationship management: A relational approach to public relations, 2000;73-93. Hillsale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. L'Etang, J. (2019). Public relations: Critical debates and contemporary practice. Routledge. Lopez-Escobar, E., Llamas, J. P., McCombs, M., & Lennon, F. R. (1998). Two levels of agenda setting among advertising and news in the 1995 Spanish elections. Political Communication, 15(2), 225–238. https://doi.org/10.1080/105846098198849 Marston, C., & Straker, M. (2001). Investor relations: A European survey. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 6(2), 82–93. McCombs, M. (2005). A look at agenda-setting: Past, present and future. Journalism Studies, 6(4), 543–557. McCombs, M. E., & Shaw, D. L. (1972). The agenda-setting function of mass media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176–187. McGrath, C. (2007). Interest groups and lobbying in the United States and comparative perspectives. Edwin Mellen Press. McNair, B. (2011). An introduction to political communication (5th ed.). Routledge. McQuail, D. (1974). Mass communication theory. An introduction. New York: Peter McQuail, D. (1987). Mass communication theory: An introduction (2nd ed.). Sage. McQuail, D. (2005) McQuail's mass communication theory. (5th edition). London: Sage Publications Moloney, K. (2006). Rethinking public relations: PR propaganda and democracy (2nd ed.). Routledge Muhammad, N. N., & Adamkolo, M. I. (2018). Public relations and employee performance in Nigerian institutions of higher learning. Informasi: Kajian Ilmu Komunikasi, 48(2), 267- 279. Newsom, D., VanSlyke Turk, J., & Kruckeberg, D. (2010). This is PR: The realities of public relations (10th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning. E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 Nwankwor, C. A. (2016). Gender, political violence and democracy in Nigeria: Lessons from the 2015 elections. Journal of African Elections, 15(2), 36–55. Nwanne, B. U. (2016). Substantiating public relations contributions to organizational success in Nigeria’s banking sector. International Journal of International Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies, 2(1), 21-29. Nwodu, L. C., & Nwanmuo, C. A. (2011). Communication and political crisis management in Nigeria: A critical discourse. International Journal of Communication, 15(1), 32–47. Nwosu, B. (2022). Crisis of democracy in Nigeria. Lagos Political Review, 7(4), 75-90. Nwosu, C., & Akintunde, A. (2020). Judiciary and the politics of constitutionalism in Nigeria’s oil-producing states. Journal of Law and Society in Africa, 4(2), 55–70. Nwosu, I. (2016). Public relations management issue and application. Aba: Dominican Publication. Odigbo, B. E., Samaila, M., & Okonkwo, R. V. (2024). Assessment of Public Relations Strategies Employed by Major International Oil Companies for Crisis Management in Nigeria. Developing Country Studies, 7(7), 1 – 11. Ogbu, S. U. (2021). Social media and effective public relations practice in Nigeria: Implications, challenges and strategies. International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, 7(4), 1-13. Ojo, E. (2021). Electoral crises in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Political Science, 14(2), 60-78. Ojo, E. O. (2012). Party politics and the challenge of democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Journal of African Elections, 11(1), 63–84. Ojo, J. (2022). Political betrayal, elite rift, and democratic decline: Wike, Atiku and the PDP's southern strategy. African Review of Politics and Governance, 11(1), 65–83. Okafor O. G. (2012). Communication research. In C.S. Okunna (ed) Teaching mass communication: A multi-dimensional approach, 2002, (171 – 192). Enugu; New Generational Books. Okafor, C. (2023). Political crises in Nigeria. Nigerian Governance Review, 12(1), 53-68. Okafor, C., & Eze, M. (2023). PR and political communication in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Communications, 8(1), 70-85. Okafor, G. O., & Malizu, C. F. (2014). The role of public relations in effective organizational management. Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(6), 982-987. Okafor, M. (2023). Leadership failure and political crisis. Abuja Governance Journal, 5(1), 30-45. Okon, E. E. (2015). Federalism and political crisis in Rivers State: An assessment of the Police and the 2013 Assembly crisis. Nigerian Journal of Political Science, 21(1), 112–129. Okon, G. B. (2001). Foundation of public relations. Goan Communication. Okoro, N., & Eze, M. (2022). Media and crisis in Nigeria. African Media Studies, 15(4), 65-80. Okpoko, J. I. (2014). Public relations and conflict management in Nigerian higher educational institutions. In I. Nwosu and D. Wilson Communication, Media and Conflict Management in Nigeria, 195-202. Enugu, Prime Target Ltd. Okudo, G. A. (2018). The impact of public relations on organizational performance of banks in Enugu. International Journal of Contemporary and Review, Management and Economics, 8(9), 56-70. Olawuni, J. O., & Oyeladun, O. E. (2020). Toward a concept and theory of organisation public relationships. Journal of Public Relations research. 9(2). 83-98. Olusegun, B., & Adekunle, T. (2022). Public relations and governance in Africa. African Heritage Press. E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 Oluwafemi, J. (2023). Leadership in Nigerian crises. Abuja University Press. Oluwakemi, O. D. (2023). Role of public relations in crisis management, a study of Access Bank Plc. Osun State Journal of Public Relations Research, 8(2), 99-105. Omotola, J. S. (2014). ‘Godfatherism’, the PDP crisis and the 2015 elections in Nigeria. African Journal of Democracy and Development, 1(2), 91–104. Orji, N., & Uzodike, U. (2018). Political party competition and electoral violence in Nigeria: Patterns and perspectives. Democracy and Security, 14(3), 229–248. Pearson, C. M., & Clair, J. A. (2022). Reframing crisis management. Academy of Management Review, 47(1), 60-76. Rosenthal, U., Charles, M., & t'Hart, P. (2020). Coping with crises. Charles C Thomas. Rubin, A. M. (1984). Ritualized and instrumental television viewing. Journal of Communication, 34(3), 67–77. Ruggiero, T. E. (2000). Uses and gratifications theory in the 21st century. Mass Communication & Society, 3(1), 3–37. Seeger, M. W., Sellnow, T. L., & Ulmer, R. R. (2022). Communication and organizational crisis. Praeger. Severin, W. J., & Tankard, J. W. (1979). Communication theories: Origins, methods, uses. New York: Hastings House. Sheyigari, S. R. (2023). Public relations strategies and the management of disaster risk beyond flood in Nigeria. Wukari International Studies Journal, 7(5), 288 – 98. Smith, R. D. (2022). Strategic planning for public relations (6th ed.). Routledge. Sundar, S. S., & Limperos, A. M. (2013). Uses and grats 2.0: New gratifications for new media. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 57(4), 504–525. Tench, R., & Yeomans, L. (2020). Exploring public relations (5th ed.). Pearson. t'Hart, P. (2021). Understanding public leadership. Red Globe Press.

More Articles from JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH