While the global tech world was agog, abuzz and getting obsessed with the mind blowing artificial intelligence chatbot ‘ChatGPT’ that can write poems, essays and computer programs, a Nigerian columnist was more concerned about whether Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers state can sway the votes of the Rivers state voting populace, a massive electoral real estate with a net worth of over 3.5 million registered voters.
It’s the fourth highest in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano and Kaduna states. This is closely followed by Katsina and Oyo states, according to updates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in October.
ChatGPT, a conversational tool developed by Open AI (Artificial Intelligence), is an intelligent chatbot that can answer question and write essays. It remembers the thread of your dialogue, using previous questions and answers to inform its next responses. Its answers are derived from huge volumes of information on the internet.
You can ask ChatGPT almost anything even though you might not get an answer to every question you ask.
My first session with ChatGPT on chat.openai.com, started like this.
Me: Can road construction reduce poverty?
ChatGPT: It is possible that road construction can help reduce poverty in certain circumstances.
For example, if a new road is built in a rural area, it can improve access to markets, education, and health care facilities, which can help increase economic activity and improve the quality of life for people living in the area.
Additionally, the construction of a new road can create jobs, which can help to provide income and support for people in the area.
However, the extent to which road construction can help reduce poverty will depend on a variety of factors, such as the specific location, the quality of the road, and the availability of other resources and support systems. End
Impressed, I decided to prod it further with a question on infrastructure development and GDP growth. Again, it gave an answer I considered good enough.
Question (Me): Can Infrastructure Development bring about GDP improvement?
Answer (ChatGPT): Yes, infrastructure development can contribute to economic growth and improve a country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Infrastructure includes the physical structures and systems that support the functioning of a society, such as roads, bridges, airports, water and sewage systems, and telecommunications networks.
These types of infrastructure are essential for the transportation of goods and services, the provision of basic services, and the communication and exchange of information.
When a country invests in infrastructure, it can lead to increased efficiency and productivity, as well as improvements in the quality of life for its citizens. This can in turn stimulate economic activity and contribute to GDP growth. END.
I was now really truly impressed.
So I decided to use ChatGPT to interrogate a recent article published on ThisDay Newspapers titled, ‘Can Wike Decide Choice of Rivers Votes’ written by one Vanessa Obioha.
In the piece, Columnist Obioha portrayed Nyesom Wike as the dreaded deceitful vendetta-seeking Governor of oil rich Rivers State with limitless resources at his disposal, hell bent on adopting every deceptive tactic in the book to deceive Rivers people into undermining Atiku, Atiku’s men and their ability, or capacity, or capability to mobilize votes in Rivers State for the forthcoming Presidential election.
The purpose of the article, as it were, was to insinuate that Nyesom Wike, a dedicated and deliberate political foot soldier long known for the unusual energy he brings to any political table, was capable of resorting to untoward means in his bid to ensure that Atiku and his men do not have a say, in the run of play, in Rivers State.
And so I asked ChatGPT.
Me: Can voters be swayed?
ChatGPT: Yes, voters can be swayed. There are many factors that can influence a voter’s decision, including political parties, candidate’s platform, media coverage, and personal experiences and beliefs.
Some voters may be more open to being swayed than others, depending on their level of political engagement and their pre-existing opinions on certain issues.
Political campaigns often sway voters through advertising, rallies, and other forms of outreach.
Ultimately, the ability of a particular message or influence to sway a voter will depend on the individual voter’s values, beliefs, and priorities, as well as the context in which the message is presented.
It is also worth noting that some people may be resistant to being swayed and may hold firm to their beliefs even in the face of opposing arguments. END.
Enthralled by ChatGPT’s answers and appalled at that the quality of intelligence radiated in the said newspaper column, i decided to interrogate the AI tool further on a question on whether politicians like Nyesom Wike can actually sway votes.
Me: Can politicians sway the votes of voters?
ChatGPT: Yes. Politicians can potentially sway the votes of voters through various mens such as campaigning, making promises or pledges, and making public appearances.
They can also use media, such as television ads, social media, and direct messages to communicate their message and try to persuade voters to support them.
Ultimately, the success of their efforts will depend on a variety of factors, including the attractiveness of their platform, their credibility and trustworthiness, and the relative strength of their opponent. It’s important to note that voters ultimately have the power to decide who they will support and that politicians should not be able to sway the votes of voters through unethical means. END.
If this conversation with my new AI assistant is anything to go by, it would mean that with the dedicated and deliberate manner that Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State has continued to campaign across the various local governments of the state, backed by his now famed regular appearances on televisions and social media channels where he has made promises and pledges and then redeemed his promises and pledges especially in the areas of critical infrastructure intervention across Rivers State, it is possible that Nyesom Wike could actually be able to sway the votes of quite a number of people in Rivers State.
Not done, I decided to probe my new assistant further with a question on whether infrastructure provision and improvement, like Nyesom Wike is known for, can sway the votes of voters.
Me: How strongly can infrastructure provision sway voters?
ChatGPT: Infrastructure provision can potentially influence voters decision in an election. Infrastructure refers to the physical structures, systems, and services that support the functioning of the society, such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and utilities.
Improving infrastructure can provide tangible benefits to citizens such as increased accessibility and mobility, improved public services, and enhancedeconomic development. As a result, politicians who prioritize infrastructure investment and deliver on their promises to improve infrastructure may be seen as more effective and competent by voters.
That being said, the impact of infrastructure provision on voter behavior can vary depending on a number of factors. These factors may include the specific infrastructure projects being proposed, the perceived importance of infrastructure to voters, the overall political climate and other issues at play in the election, and the credibility and track record of the politicians making the promises. END.
Based on this conversation with ChatGPT ‘my new unbiased AI assistant’, one could therefore infer that a politician like Nyesom Wike, who has governed Rivers State for more than 7 years on a massive infrastructure improvement mandate that has ensured that he has consistently met and matched the deadlines of almost all of the critical infrastructure promised, pledged and eventually delivered, can easily sway voters in Rivers State, simply based on his track record, something he has never failed to remind Rivers people, and for which he has received state, national and even Presidential recognition.
It is also shows that a people like those of Rivers State who are the direct beneficiaries of the many tangible benefits of the many infrastructure improvement projects that the Nyesom Wike administration and his best-in-class infrastructure team (comprising of first class technocrats and some of the best construction companies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria) continue to deliver across the various local governments of Rivers State, are very likely to be swayed by the improved quality of life they have experienced in terms of improved access to products and services, schools, health care, improved mobility etc.
It was a rewarding day with ChatGPT and the exceptional opportunity it provides in at least improving access to knowledge and the quality of journalism in Nigeria, is one that must be fully exploited in a country like Nigeria were mass misinformation is being deliberately politically orchestrated to hoodwink a largely ignorant populace who do very little to verify information they are fed with.
Kerley writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers state via [email protected]
