There is no gain saying that social media has become a force to recon with in recent years, shaping political activities and discourse across the globe. Nigeria, one of the most populous nations on earth, with huge youth demography, is having its own fair share of the impact of social media on politics and governance. With a humongous number of active users across platforms such as Twitter (now X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, standing at over 30 million, social media has and is still redefining how citizens engage with political issues, hold leaders accountable, and mobilize to alter the prevailing status quo.
Although social media has contributed
towards democratizing access to information thereby enhancing political
participation across the spectrum, it is also fueling misinformation,
disinformation, hate speech, and other similar actions that tend to polarize
the polity.
Policy analysts believe that one of
the most significant impacts of the social media on Nigerian politics is the fact
that it has resulted in increase in political awareness and engagement,
particularly among the youths. The social media is driving participatory political
behavior. The Platforms have become veritable spaces in the hands of
influencers and activists for civic education, real-time policy debates, mobilization,
and direct interaction between political figures and citizens. Such
interactions often pressure government institutions and advance global
awareness about goings-on in the domestic economy.
Additionally, candidates vying
for elective positions and their political parties now rely significantly on
social media to disseminate and explain their manifestos, run campaign adverts,
and engage directly with their constituents. During the 2023 general elections,
major political contenders used social media, including the Twitter (X) space,
Facebook live, and Instagram broadcast to reach the youth demographic, with
campaigns often going viral, influencing perceptions and ultimately altering
voter behavior.
Also, the advent of social media appears
to have triggered greater transparency and accountability in the Nigerian
politics. This is given the consciousness that Citizens can deploy these
platforms to document and report cases of perceived infractions, corruption,
and abuse of power and privilege. They are also used to call for greater
openness in the workings of perceived opaque institutions. With mobile phones
and internet access, Nigerians, even in the hinterlands have now become citizen-reporters,
disseminating live videos and real-time situation reports that often call to
question, official narratives. This development has compelled public office
holders to exercise serious caution and be responsive in their disposition,
knowing their actions or inactions could trend on multiple social media
platforms in mere seconds.
The foregoing positives
notwithstanding, the rise of social media in Nigerian politics has come with
certain unpleasant and dare downsides. One of the major consequences is the
spread of fake news and misinformation. This is usually taken to a dizzying
height during electioneering period when politically motivated falsehoods in
the form of doctored videos and in some cases, outright fabrications, are used
to manipulate public opinion, provoke ethnic and religious tensions, and
delegitimize opposition elements. This manifested glaringly during the past
elections when unsubstantiated news about some candidates' health, religion, education
background, financial standing, amongst others circulated widely, creating
confusion and fueling mistrust amongst the voters.
Furthermore, the toga of anonymity
as well as the wide reach of social media have allowed for the rise of online
hate speech and cyberbullying. There are instances where political opponents
are commonly targeted by trolls, often associated with a coordinated campaign
by political parties or interest groups. To this end, social media seem to permit
toxicity in political discourse, which discourages civil engagement and may
actually deter meaningful participation. It is this toxicity that has given
rise to the clamor for regulation of social media, which is gaining traction,
particularly among the elites, although not resonating with the youth. There
are fears, however, that such regulations could amount to tampering with
peoples’ guaranteed freedom.
No doubt, the Nigerian political
landscape has been greatly impacted by social media, leading to increase in
citizen participation, improved accountability, and provision of new or
alternative political communication channels. However, its unregulated nature makes
it a breeding ground for misinformation and political manipulation. As Nigeria
continues to race towards greater digital penetration, the need for improved
digital literacy programs, content moderation policies, and legislations that
protect both free speech and national cohesion cannot be over emphasized.
In the end, the impact of social
media on Nigerian politics depends on how citizens, politicians, tech
companies, and regulators, among others choose to use it. It however remains a
double-edged sword that can either deepen democracy or destabilize it.
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