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The Role of Social Media in the 2023 Nigerian General Elections: An Analytical Appraisal of Selected Platforms

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The 2023 general elections in Nigeria witnessed a surge in political discourse on social media platforms. Analyzing the impact of social media on the voting process can shed light on the potential of digital platforms in bridging these divisions and promoting citizen involvement. Therefore, this study sought to guide evidence-based decision-making, policy development, and the creation of media literacy campaigns to strengthen an inclusive democratic system in Nigeria. The diversity of social media channels used during the general elections for 2023 is compared in this paper. We modified the mass media's framing theory and the agenda-setting theory and chose the survey research approach. The results of this study indicate that social media political campaigns played a significant role in persuading voters in the 2023 general elections. The study also showed that social media political campaigns are quite successful, and Twitter in particular is a main avenue of political and electioneering communication.

Source: American Journal of Arts and Human Science

DOI: 10.54536/ajahs.v4i1.3226

Authors: Etido Okon, Dan-Ralph Ohewolam Ojedor, Babatunde Oriyomi Owolabi

Institutions: University of Cross River State, University of Uyo, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic

Language: English

Topic: Social Media and Politics

Subfield: Communication

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4407411504

FWCI: 6.013

Cites:

Cited by: 3

Related to: 10