THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SHAPING POLITICALMOVEMENTS IN NIGERIA

This paper examined the role of social media in shaping political movement in Nigeria. Unlike mass media, social media connects candidates and voters directly without the need for third parties or other intermediaries. Social media also aids in the process of campaigning and reaching out to voters by candidates. In the recent general elections, social media was used as a tool to create awareness about potential candidates, which caused upsets in certain areas as unknown candidates were able to defeat their well-established opponents. The “Obedient Movement” was especially popular during the last election as social media was used for massive sensitization that led to more people being involved in the electioneering process and the eventual outcome of the election.