SOCIAL MEDIA ROLE IN STIMULATING SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN THE 2023 ELECTIONS

ABSTRACT

The study examines the role of social media in stimulating social movements in the 2023 Elections. With the widespread usage of social media platforms during current elections, there happen to be a lot of contentions as per if social media’s support for any candidate in the 2023 elections is responsible for their win or defeat as seen in the peter obi movement situation. The goal was to examine the impact of social media on electoral practices as it influences the corresponding populace/electorates. To provide a theoretical framework, the study was anchored on the public sphere and uses and gratification theories. A survey research design was adopted with a sample size of 200, and a questionnaire was used as the primary data collection instrument. 200 copies of the useful rate of 100% were collected through different stages using the simple random, and simple sampling procedure. Findings from the analysis of the data gathered revealed that a level of mobilization and information spread and political influence can be realized through social media platforms. In addition, Political gladiators, politicians, political parties and electoral bodies as well as citizens of any developing country will find the work embedded in this research very useful in terms of maximizing the full potentials of the power of social media in promoting electoral or societal change.