Discourse about Nigerian Politics has rapidly shifted online, primarily through Social Media platforms. Nigerians from a wide range of backgrounds, occupations, and places of residence now use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others to voice their opinions on hot-button subjects, including politics. Elections are one of the periods when social media has the most impact on Nigerian politics. Discussions on the national election of political office holders at the federal, state, and local government levels of government take place throughout electioneering periods.
For example, Twitter has influenced Nigerian politics by giving people a forum to express their thoughts, rally support for causes, and demand transparency from public leaders. One of the most striking examples of social media’s influence in Nigerian politics is the #EndSARS movement. Sparked by widespread reports of police brutality, particularly by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the movement gained momentum through social media and protests against police brutality attracted international attention and forced the government to dissolve the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and start police reforms. Social media facilitated the organization of protests, fundraising for supplies and legal aid, and sharing real-time updates and videos of the demonstrations.
Its role in activism, government response and control.
This not only amplified the movement’s visibility but also pressured the government to respond. The movement demonstrated the power of social media in holding authorities accountable and pushing for systemic change. Also, Technology has made information more easily accessible in real time, which has sped up the planning of social campaigns and protests. Recognizing the power of the platform, the Nigerian government has periodically responded with measures to control social media activity. One such measure was the controversial ban on Twitter in June 2021, which was ostensibly imposed because of concerns over harmful content and Misinformation but was widely seen as an attempt to quell public dissent.
Discussions over digital rights and freedom of expression in Nigeria have intensified as a result of the ban, which has caused a national and international uproar. Eventually, the government lifted the ban in January 2022, but the episode underscored the significant role Twitter plays in shaping Nigerian political discourse and the lengths to which the government might go to manage its influence. As a powerful tool for political engagement, activism, and accountability, social media platforms have allowed citizens to bypass traditional media channels, which are often perceived as biased or influenced by political interests. This shift has enabled more inclusive and diverse political discourse, where voices from various social strata can be heard and amplified.
Boost for political campaigns and election monitoring.
Importantly, social media has become a crucial platform for political campaigning and communication. Politicians and political parties use these platforms to reach a broad audience, disseminate their messages, and engage with constituents directly. This direct interaction fosters a sense of accountability, as elected officials can be questioned in real time by their constituents. Social media also plays a critical role during elections, where it is used for mobilizing voters, monitoring the electoral process, and reporting irregularities. Hashtags and viral campaigns can quickly draw attention to electoral malpractices, putting pressure on authorities to ensure free and fair elections.
Beyond organizing protests, social media has become an important instrument for political campaigns and election monitoring. These platforms are used by politicians and political parties to reach out to voters, spread their messages, and engage with constituents. Campaign strategies can be modified in response to changes in public attitude, thanks to the use of social media analytics. Social media acts as a watchdog during elections, with users reporting anomalies, violent situations, or vote-buying instances. This fosters accountability and transparency in the political process.
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However, the Nigerian government has raised concerns about the spread of fake news and misinformation in its attempts to regulate social media activity, claiming that false narratives have the ability to incite violence or affect election results. Numerous individuals saw this action as an attempt to suppress opposition and manage the discourse, capturing the continuous conflict between digital freedom and government control. Additionally, conventional media like newspapers and television networks are no longer in a position to control the conversation about politics. A more immediate and interactive mode of communication has resulted from this change, allowing people to ask questions of and engage with their leaders directly. Because of the constant scrutiny and online debate around their remarks and actions, politicians are now held to a higher standard by the public.