write an essay on the 2023 presidential election in nigeria

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Nigeria election 2023: what are the issues and why is this vote different?

People will go the polls on Saturday in what is seen as a potential turning point for Africa’s most populous country

When do Nigerians go to the polls and what are they voting for?

On Saturday, up to 94 million voters in Africa’s most populous country and biggest economy will cast their ballots to elect lawmakers and the president. It’s the seventh election since the end of military rule in 1999, and an exercise involving enormous expenditure and logistics, keenly watched across the continent and beyond.

Why does the election matter?

Nigeria faces a host of serious challenges: growing insecurity, a struggling economy, massive debt, deep poverty and a corrupt political class – and this moment is genuinely seen as a potential turning point, with hopes that a fair and credible poll may alter the country’s trajectory for the better, allowing its youthful, creative and entrepreneurial energy to be harnessed for the good of all. Alternatively, it could lead Nigeria towards a very difficult future.

Nigeria is regionally dominant and a keystone state in Africa. Matthew Page, an expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , describes the election as a chance for Nigeria’s democratic process “to send a proof-of-life message to the world”. With democracy in retreat across the continent, some analysts say a good election in Nigeria would revitalise the hopes of democratic reformers in other countries, with many of the issues resonating elsewhere.

Everyone recognises that the next decade is vital for the country, which is forecast to become the third -most populous in the world, behind India and China, by 2045.

What have been the issues for voters in the buildup to the vote?

The most obvious are security, with violent crime that was once restricted to more marginal areas now reaching into major urban centres, and the economy, as most people are considerably worse off now than they were in 2015 when the outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari, started the first of his two terms. Corruption is also an issue for voters.

In recent weeks, a self-inflicted crisis after a poorly executed effort by authorities to replace the country’s banknotes has brought acute hardship and inconvenience. With naira currency so scarce, the poorest simply cannot buy basic foodstuffs or travel to vote. Many are adapting, but only slowly. In the meantime, “people are cashless and desperate … That is adding to tensions around the poll,” says Nnamdi Obasi , the International Crisis Group’s Nigeria-based expert.

What is different about this election?

A lot. One big difference is the size of the electorate, with 10 million more registered voters than in 2019, including many who are very young. A second big change from earlier polls is that the two main parties that have dominated Nigerian politics for decades – the ruling All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic party – have been challenged by a third credible contender: Peter Obi is an energetic 61-year-old who appears a generation younger than his main rivals, Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, who are in their 70s and look increasingly frail. More than anything, Obi represents a new kind of politics, reaching out beyond Nigeria’s sectarian and ethnic divides with the promise of dynamic, clean and efficient governance. Whether he will be able to fulfil that if he wins is another question. A final difference is new voting technology, which should cut down on rigging.

Many opinion polls have given Obi a substantial lead, and there is no doubt that the wealthy businessman turned politician has run a very effective campaign. However, analysts and ruling party officials say Obi may have difficulty converting “virtual” support on social media and among the young into enough votes to beat the vast patronage networks, deep pockets and powerful political organisation of his rivals.

Much depends on turnout, which has been woefully low in recent elections. Last year, before Obi launched his campaign, a survey found that just 39% of Nigerians felt close to a political party, a sharp decline compared with 2015. If more than two voters in five reach the voting booths, this will be seen as a boost to Obi’s chances, possibly signalling a wave of support.

When will we get a result?

Official results could take up to five days to be announced after the polls close, but the turnout should become clearer much earlier, along with some of the counts. This should give a sense within 36 to 48 hours of who will lead Nigeria.

Nigerian electoral law makes a runoff unlikely, as the winning candidate needs only a simple majority, provided they get 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of the 36 states.

Most viewed

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Nigerian Election 2023 and Bola Tinubu’s Victory: What to Know

Mr. Tinubu, a divisive figure in Nigerian politics, was declared the winner of the presidential race in Africa’s most populous country.

By Ruth Maclean and Elian Peltier

Reporting from Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria

Main candidates

Labour Party

Bola Tinubu

All Progressives Congress

Atiku Abubakar

People’s Democratic Party

Rabiu Kwankwaso

New Nigeria People’s Party

Bola Tinubu, a perennial political kingmaker in Nigeria’s politics, was declared the winner of the presidential election on Wednesday after a tight race marred by accusations of vote rigging and the lowest turnout ever recorded in a presidential contest in the country.

Nigeria is home to about 220 million people, and what happens there reverberates across Africa and the globe. More than 87 million people were eligible to vote, the election commission said — the most ever.

The Giant of Africa, as Nigeria is known, is at an inflection point. During nearly eight years of rule by an ailing president, Muhammadu Buhari — a military dictator turned reformed democrat — the country has lurched from one economic shock to the next. Mr. Buhari has reached his two-term limit and did not run for re-election. Over 60 percent of the population lives in poverty , while security crises — including kidnapping , terrorism, militancy in oil-rich areas and clashes between herders and farmers — have multiplied.

Final results showed Mr. Tinubu winning the election with 8.7 million votes, or about 36 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff. Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party got 6.9 million votes, and Peter Obi took 6.1 million. Under Nigerian law, to win, a candidate must win the most votes, as well as at least 25 percent of the vote in two-thirds of the nation’s 36 states.

Mr. Obi, a surprise third-party candidate popular among young Nigerians, narrowly won the race in Lagos State, home to the country’s largest city, in a blow to Mr. Tinubu.

The slow uploading of results on the website of the electoral commission has raised concerns that ballot rigging could once again tarnish an election. The voter turnout this year dropped to 27 percent, from 35 percent in 2019.

On Tuesday, Mr. Obi’s Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Mr. Abubakar, called for the election to be canceled and rerun, citing vote rigging. As of Wednesday morning, they had not reacted to the final results.

In recent weeks, shortages of fuel and cash — the money because of a rushed currency redesign — have caused widespread suffering. Even people with money in the bank cannot access it, and many are unable to buy food or pay for necessities. Protests in some cities have turned violent.

Many analysts said that the sudden currency redesign had been intended to stop politicians from hoarding cash to buy votes. On Friday, the Nigerian police announced that they had arrested an opposition party legislator in southern Nigeria with nearly $500,000 in cash in his car and a list of intended recipients for the bills.

Not since the rebirth of Nigeria’s democracy in 1999 had the country faced an election as nail-biting — and as wide open — as this one.

Who were the main candidates?

There was Mr. Tinubu, 70, Nigeria’s president-elect, who as the candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress had serious political machinery behind him. Mr. Tinubu, a canny, multimillionaire former governor of Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest city, is a Muslim from the southwest and boasts that he brought Mr. Buhari to power. His catchphrase, “Emi lo kan” — Yoruba for “It’s my turn” — speaks to his record as a kingmaker in Nigerian politics, but alienates many young voters.

Mr. Abubakar, a former vice president and multimillionaire businessman, was the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, or P.D.P. Mr. Abubakar, 76, has run for the presidency five times since 1993, and this year may have been his last shot. A Muslim from the north, he hoped to pick up far more votes there than he has in the past, especially as he did not have to run against his old nemesis, Mr. Buhari, who had an ardent northern following.

The surprise candidate was Mr. Obi, 61. Hailed as a savior by a large chunk of Nigeria’s digitally savvy youth, Mr. Obi — a Christian and former governor from the southeast who hitched his wagon to the lesser-known Labour Party — threw this election open. His fans — mostly young, southern Nigerians walloped by economic hardship, joblessness and insecurity — call themselves the Obidients.

Those three were the leading contenders among the 18 candidates in all.

What did pre-election polling show (or not show)?

Several polls taken before election day put Mr. Obi ahead of his rivals — some by a wide margin . But what many of the surveys had in common was that a large proportion of people polled refused to say who they would vote for or said that they were undecided.

One poll , by the data and intelligence company Stears, tried to solve this problem by making an informed guess about which way the “silent voters” would cast their ballots based on their profiles and how they responded to other questions.

Stears found that if, as in 2019, few people showed up at the polls, Mr. Tinubu would be by far the more likely winner, which is eventually what happened. Despite close results, the turnout was lower than the 2019 election.

How turnout could change Nigerian election results

Low turnout

High turnout

Low turnout scenario

High turnout scenario

What were the top issues?

Nearly 90 percent of Nigerians say they believe that the country is going in the wrong direction, according to a recent survey by Afrobarometer — by far the worst perception it has ever recorded in Nigeria. For many, this election seemed like a last-ditch chance to rescue the country.

A nation bursting with entrepreneurs and creative talent, Nigeria is held back by rampant insecurity, widespread unemployment, persistent corruption and a stagnating economy, which together mean that simply surviving can be a major struggle. Young, middle-class Nigerians trying to escape this life are leaving the country in droves.

What was different about this ballot?

Recent changes in the voting system — using biometric data to ensure voters’ identities and sending results electronically rather than manually — were put in place to prevent the tampering and vote rigging that have undermined previous elections.

There was no incumbent on the ballot, and for the first time in decades, there were major candidates from each of Nigeria’s three main ethnic groups: Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa-Fulani.

All the usual, if unofficial, rules of Nigerian elections were blown apart:

It’s a battle between the two established parties — Mr. Obi broke this one when he lost the P.D.P. ticket to Mr. Abubakar but insisted on running anyway, and joined another party.

The presidency is supposed to alternate between the north and the south, and so parties should field candidates accordingly — Mr. Buhari is a northerner, so Mr. Abubakar was expected to let a southerner helm his party. But he did not. (Mr. Tinubu is from the southwest.)

There should be a Muslim and a Christian on the ticket — Mr. Tinubu, a Muslim, bulldozed through this rule by picking a Muslim from the northeast as his running mate.

What did a candidate need to win?

A plurality, plus 25 percent of the vote in two-thirds of the nation’s 36 states. If no candidate achieves this, the election goes to a runoff — which has not happened since democracy returned.

Turnout was extremely low in 2019 — around 35 percent of registered voters cast a ballot in that election, mostly because of insecurity, logistical problems and apathy. More than 12 million new voters registered this year, according to the electoral commission , most of them young people, but that wasn’t enough to avoid an even lower voter turnout. Of the 87 million allowed to cast a ballot, fewer than 25 million did.

Ruth Maclean is the West Africa bureau chief for The New York Times, based in Senegal. She joined The Times in 2019 after three and a half years covering West Africa for The Guardian. More about Ruth Maclean

Elian Peltier is the West Africa correspondent. He joined The Times in 2017 and was previously based in Paris and London. He now lives in Dakar, Senegal. More about Elian Peltier

Nigeria presidential election results 2023 by the numbers

Former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu has been declared the winner of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. We map the state-by-state results below.

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) the winner of the 2023 presidential election. Tinubu polled a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 6,984,520 to emerge second.

Nearly 90 million people were eligible to vote in Africa’s largest democracy, with many Nigerians hoping a new leader will do a better job tackling insecurity, economic malaise and growing poverty.

Keep reading

Tinubu wins nigeria’s tight presidential elections, nigeria 2023 election: all you need to know, photos: nigeria holds presidential and parliamentary elections, this is why you should care about nigeria’s election.

Elections were held nationwide on February 25. Voting had to be extended into Sunday in a few parts of the country after some glitches.

State-by-state results from the INEC are provided below:

Who is Bola Tinubu?

A two-term governor of Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, Bola Tinubu is credited with raising the state’s revenue and supporters say he will replicate his success on the national stage.

He has courted controversy by doing what was considered unthinkable for more than three decades – selecting Kashim Shettima, the ex-governor of Borno, as his running mate. Tinubu and Shettima are both Muslims, from the southwest and northeast, respectively.

There is a gentlemanly agreement between the main parties to share power between north and south, and Christians and Muslims.

Ahead of Saturday’s vote, however, Tinubu and Shettima argued that competency overrules religion.

Ideology barometer

In parts of Africa, personality-driven politics and patronage culture are still dominant, so ideology politics is not as entrenched on the continent as it was under military regimes.

Political actors are frequently crossing party divides and changing their stance on national issues, depending on the stage of their career and other variables in an electoral cycle.

Below is an approximate representation of the leading candidates’ ideological standing – economically and culturally.

OVERVIEW OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA

Nigerians trooped to the polls on February 25 and March 18, 2023, to elect a new President, National Assembly Members as well as 28 State Governors and members of 36 State Houses of Assembly.

It was the seventh consecutive general election since the return of the country to democracy in 1999. This represents 23 years of unbroken democracy, the longest in the history of Nigeria.

The Presidential election was contested by eighteen political parties and conducted under a new electoral framework. The new electoral framework known as the Electoral Act 2022, allows the country’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the use of Technology for the conduct of elections using Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS for fingerprint and facial biometric identification and authentication of the voters.

The new Act also allows the commission to transmit election results electronically from the collation centres into the INEC servers and results viewing portal immediately after the counting of the votes.

Invariably, the new technological innovation introduced by INEC, paved the way for online pre-registration system of voters and new INEC enrolment device which helped to reduce the long queues witnessed in previous voter registration and voting exercises in the past. The new Electoral Act as amended by the Nigerian National Assembly also extended the time for political campaigns from 90 to 150 days which has equally created the opportunity for politicians to visit the nooks and crannies of the country if they so desire.

However, instead of reducing how money is used in Nigerian politics, the Act jacked up campaign finance funds from an initial N1billion to N5 billion for presidential candidates. The ceiling for other elected positions were also increased significantly in the new electoral Act.

There were 93.4 million registered Nigerian voters eligible to go to the polls. However, only a little above 30 million people turned out for the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections a far cry from those registered.

Prior to the elections, the electoral umpire adopted some strategic action plans to ensure a successful and smooth conduct of the elections. To achieve that, the commission activated 2,673 additional permanent voter card registration centers nationwide, introduced simultaneous accreditation and voting system and created additional polling units nearer to the electorates. It also embarked on continuous engagements with election stakeholders such as security agencies, political party leaders, civil society groups and the media towards improving the electoral processes.

In a bid to ensure that no eligible voter was disfranchised in the General Election, the commission made special provision for persons with disabilities, adequate provision for voters in Internally Displaced Camps to exercise their franchisee during the elections.

The commission was equally engaged in continuous sensitization programmes on the processes and preparations for the elections by galvanizing the citizenry by ensuring that they understand and participate fully in the electoral proceedings for the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Despite the mechanisms and measures put in place by the commission ahead of the elections, there were still some challenges encountered by the commission. Some of these challenges include attacks on INEC facilities and personnel in some parts of the country, vote buying and selling during elections, the malfunctioning of the BVAS in the transmission election results during the presidential election amongst other things.

Despite all the challenges faced, the elections were generally peaceful and winners announced without rancor. The losers have taken the right path by resorting to laws of the land which allows them to challenge the outcome in Special Elections Tribunals set up by the government.

Kudos should therefore, not only be given to the electoral umpire but also to the Nigerian government for supporting the commission adequately by ensuring early release of fund to INEC to enable it carry out its electoral activities successful.

Nigerian voters on the other hand should also be commended for their resilience by participating in the electoral processes despite all odds.  Both Foreign and local observers, the media and of course security agencies should equally share the glory of the success of the 2023 elections.

Going forward, INEC needs to improve on its planning process to avoid the challenges it encountered on its inability to transmit the presidential election results electronically and create strong barriers against vote buying and selling. By so doing, the electorates would have more confidence in the commission.

The commission must avoid any act that could create doubt in the mind of voters that their votes will not count. Also, the personnel used during the elections should be only those who have been tested, trusted and persons with integrity to engender believe in the system.

The politicians on the other hand, should not always see elections as a do or die affair and avoid the act of desperation. Security agents on the other hand should eschew any corrupt practices and follow strictly, the rules of engagements on election security while the media should play their noble role of the watch Dog and act professionally during elections

10th Assembly Speakership: Group urges APC to jettison zoning arrangement

G7 plans to sanction Russia’s Energy, Exports

Senegal’s Young Leader: A Beacon Of Democratic Hope For Africa.

President Tinubu at 72: Providing Leadership in Challenging Times

The Significance of Good Friday

Significance of fasting in the month of Ramadan 

Voter Suppression and Electoral Integrity Crisis in Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections

Introduction

The 2023 General Election in Nigeria marked a crucial milestone in the nation’s democratic journey as citizens exercised their right to elect their leaders with support from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting credible elections. 1 Sahara Reporters, “Nigerian Election 2023: What Did We Learn From It”, March 29, 2023, Opinion in https://saharareporters.com/2023/03/29/nigerian-election-2023-what-did-we-learn-it-matthew-ma However, concerns about voter suppression and electoral integrity cast a shadow over the democratic process. This article explores the key issues related to voter suppression and the overall integrity of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

Historical Context

Nigeria has a complex history of electoral challenges, as previous elections have been marred by allegations of irregularities and voter suppression. Since independence in 1960, violence and myriad malpractices have persistently plagued the process of electing the country’s leaders. 2 Ebere Onwudiwe and Chloe Berwind-Dart, “Breaking the Cycle of Electoral Violence in Nigeria,” United States Institute of Peace, Special Report 263, December, 2010 in https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/resources/SR263   These issues erode public trust in the electoral process, undermine democratic principles, and hinder the country’s progress towards a fair and inclusive society. Against this background, the 2023 general elections initially held the promise of a more transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process.

Voter Suppression and Electoral Integrity Crisis in the 2023 General Election in Nigeria

Virtually nothing worked according to INEC’s plan 6 Tribune Online, “2023 general election and integrity test”, March 29, 2023, Editorial Reading in https://tribuneonlineng.com/2023-general-election-and-integrity-test/ and it would not be surprising if the country experiences the highest numbers of post-election court cases since the return to democracy in 1999. 7 Chijioke Iremeka, “Electoral fraud, technology and future of Nigeria’s democracy” The Guardian, 08 April 2023, in https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/electoral-fraud-technology-and-future-of-nigerias-democracy/   The occurrence of vote-buying, an illegal practice where political contestants buy votes using money or gifts, severely undermines the credibility of the election. Vote-buying compromises the principle of free and fair elections by manipulating the will of the voters and undermining the democratic process. Furthermore, the issue of electoral security played a critical role in determining the integrity of the political process. The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) noted that instances of violence, ballot box snatching, and the disruption of voting activities by political thugs were reported across the country, 8 The Guardian, “TMG decries violence, vote buying, apathy during guber polls,” March 24, 2023, Politics in https://guardian.ng/politics/tmg-decries-violence-vote-buying-apathy-during-guber-polls/  causing fear and insecurity among voters. Such incidents not only disenfranchised citizens but also cast doubts on the overall legitimacy of election results.

Addressing Voter Suppression and Electoral Integrity Crisis in 2023 General Elections in Nigeria

To ensure electoral integrity, various factors need to be considered, such as transparency, fairness, accuracy, and accountability. Regrettably, the 2023 general elections in Nigeria faced challenges in these areas.

Nigeria needs to take concrete steps to address the issues of voter suppression and the electoral integrity crisis. At the heart of the efforts toward ensuring electoral integrity lies the role and effectiveness of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). The Nigerian electorate, civil society, and citizen organizations should mobilize to ensure the independence and autonomy of the electoral commission as a strategy for upholding the integrity of the electoral process in the country. The commission should be free from undue political influence, adequately funded, and staffed with competent professionals who can efficiently perform their duties.

In addition, I propose the following recommendations for achieving a more inclusive and credible democratic system in Nigeria.

Strengthen Voter Education:

Enhancing civic education programs is essential to empowering citizens with the knowledge of their rights and responsibilities. Well-planned programs can motivate and encourage citizens to participate in the voting process and identify and report instances of electoral malpractice. 9 U.S. Election Assistance Commission Seven, “Tips to Strengthen Voter Education Programs” America Vote Act of 2002 in https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/eac_assets/1/28/EducatingVoters%5B3%5D-508%20Compliant.pdf This can help reduce voter suppression and improve electoral integrity in the country

Improve Electoral Infrastructure:

Addressing the issue of uneven distribution of polling stations is crucial. Investing in the provision of adequate infrastructure and establishing polling stations in remote and densely populated areas will enhance accessibility and increase voter turnout. The building and consolidation of the electoral infrastructure should be complemented by the establishment of strong mechanisms for ensuring political and electoral integrity.

Electoral Reforms:

There is also the need for inclusive electoral reforms that ensure the political leadership is strongly committed to promoting the rights of Nigerian citizens. 10 Oduola, Saheed Olasunkanmi, Hayatullah Boladale Hassan, and Banna Sawaneh. “Voters’ Education and Credible Elections in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges of 2019 General Elections” International Journal of Politics and Good Governance, 11, no. 11.1 (2020). . Continual review and improvement of electoral laws and regulations are necessary to address emerging challenges, as well as introducing and imposing strong sanctions on those found guilty of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and violence as a deterrent to the perpetuation of electoral malpractices.

Strengthen Electoral Security Measures:

The Nigerian government, political parties, and civil society groups need to take steps to improve election security, defuse tensions, and mitigate the risks of violence. 11 International Crisis Group, “Mitigating Risks of Violence in Nigeria’s 2023 Elections,” 10 February 2023 in https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria/311-mitigating-risks-violence-nigerias-2023-elections   This should not only include the deployment of adequate security personnel and polling stations, but also involve early warning systems and the use of proactive intelligence gathering to prevent electoral fraud and violence.

Use of Electoral Technology:

Leveraging technology in voter registration, result collation, and transmission processes can increase efficiency, transparency, and accuracy. Embracing biometric identification systems and securing electronic voting machines can help streamline the electoral process, minimize human error, and enhance overall electoral integrity.

Civil Society Engagement:

Civil society organizations can play a significant role in raising awareness, advocating for electoral reforms, and holding authorities accountable for any violations of democratic principles. Promoting transparency and communication between electoral authorities and the public is crucial. Regular updates on electoral processes, voter registration, and security measures can foster trust, encourage citizen engagement, and dispel doubts about the fairness of the elections. Part of civil society engagement should also involve working with election monitors and international election monitors to ensure the credibility and fairness of the elections, bolster public confidence, and deter electoral misconduct.

• 1 Sahara Reporters, “Nigerian Election 2023: What Did We Learn From It”, March 29, 2023, Opinion in https://saharareporters.com/2023/03/29/nigerian-election-2023-what-did-we-learn-it-matthew-ma
• 2 Ebere Onwudiwe and Chloe Berwind-Dart, “Breaking the Cycle of Electoral Violence in Nigeria,” United States Institute of Peace, Special Report 263, December, 2010 in https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/resources/SR263
• 3 Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, “Votes, Violence and Validity: Our Understanding of Nigeria’s 2023 Sub-National Elections,” March 21, 2023, in https://www.cddwestafrica.org/reports/votes-violence-and-validity-our-understanding-of-nigeria-s-2023-sub-national-elections/
• 4 Sun News Online, “Nigeria Decides 2023: Voter suppression, killings, violence hallmark 2023 polls”, March 23, 2023, Editorial Reading in https://sunnewsonline.com/nigeria-decides-2023-voter-suppression-killings-violence-hallmark-2023-polls/
• 6 Tribune Online, “2023 general election and integrity test”, March 29, 2023, Editorial Reading in https://tribuneonlineng.com/2023-general-election-and-integrity-test/
• 7 Chijioke Iremeka, “Electoral fraud, technology and future of Nigeria’s democracy” The Guardian, 08 April 2023, in https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/electoral-fraud-technology-and-future-of-nigerias-democracy/
• 8 The Guardian, “TMG decries violence, vote buying, apathy during guber polls,” March 24, 2023, Politics in https://guardian.ng/politics/tmg-decries-violence-vote-buying-apathy-during-guber-polls/
• 9 U.S. Election Assistance Commission Seven, “Tips to Strengthen Voter Education Programs” America Vote Act of 2002 in https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/eac_assets/1/28/EducatingVoters%5B3%5D-508%20Compliant.pdf
• 10 Oduola, Saheed Olasunkanmi, Hayatullah Boladale Hassan, and Banna Sawaneh. “Voters’ Education and Credible Elections in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges of 2019 General Elections” International Journal of Politics and Good Governance, 11, no. 11.1 (2020).
• 11 International Crisis Group, “Mitigating Risks of Violence in Nigeria’s 2023 Elections,” 10 February 2023 in https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria/311-mitigating-risks-violence-nigerias-2023-elections

Saheed Olasunkanmi Oduola

Saheed Olasunkanmi Oduola is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is also an administrative officer of the Deputy Provost’s Office, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Oyo State. His research interests include local governance, human security, development studies, and conflict and peace studies. He has published papers at notable high impact factors journals. Oduola has also received a M.Sc. degree from the Department of Local Government and Development Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Master and Postgraduate Diploma in the Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a B.Sc. Politics, Philosophy... Read more

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Influence of Social Media on Political Mobilisation: Lessons from 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria

2023, International Journal of Strategic Research in Education, Technology and Humanities

The Internet has become one of the most important technological developments on the planet. Humanity depends on it for benefits in social, cultural, political, and other realms. In the space of more than a decade, the Internet has Nigeria has witnessed tremendous Internet revolutions affecting the people in diverge ways. Thus, in the Digital Age, the methods by which specific contents are selected and articulated into news have changed. So also are the media by which people receive news. These days, crave for real-time information is on the rise. And to satisfy this thirst, many people turn to online sources and social media sites such as Facebook and WhatsApp to stay up-to-date with the news. Professionals now talk about citizen journalism and electronic republic! Currently, Nigeria is in the news, courtesy of 2023 general elections. This is paper, outcome of survey, set out on a survey on based on as sample of 484 derived from Awka metropolis of Anambra State. The paper submits that these days, crave for real-time information is on the rise. And to satisfy this thirst, many people turn to online sources and social media sites such as Facebook and WhatsApp to stay up-to-date with the news. Given the 2023 election scenario in Nigeria, the paper concludes that new media are potent tools of information dissemination and mass mobilization. Apart from adding to literature, this paper has significance in terms of development and political communication in Nigeria.

Related Papers

Hadiza Wada

This study is a qualitative survey, a sequel to an earlier paper by the same scholar seeking to understand the influence of social media use on the 2015 general election in Nigeria. While the earlier paper focused on fully supported observations plus theoretical challenges that social media use poses to scholars of mass communication, this paper measures (a) what specific role did social media play in Nigerian youths political awareness and participation in the 2015 general elections; (b) the depth and frequency in percentage terms of social media use among the youths; as well as (c) the impact of social media on Nigerian youths political awareness and participation. The results show significant usage with an overwhelming majority of respondents admitting to visiting social media sites several times a day. It however shows social media use is limited to news and information discussions and opinion formations, rather than relying on it as the major source of credible political news, or information. Table II shows that for an overwhelming majority, the primary source of political information remains radio and television.

SAU JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Barigbon Nsereka

Godswill John

This study on Social Media and Political Mobilization basically sought examine how electorates were mobilized through social media for the 2019 Presidential election in Cross River State. The study was guided by five objectives as well as five research questions. The study was anchored on Marshall Mcluhan's Technological Determinism Theory which states that technology shapes how individuals in a society think, feel, act, and how the society operates. The theory further assumes that technology drives development in any given society. Survey methodology was adopted. Accordingly, a sample size of 384 was drawn from the study population of 227,255. The study utilized the closed-ended questionnaire and in-depth interview as instruments of data gathering. The major findings of the study showed that the social media, particularly, particularly Facebook serves as the main channel of political mobilization in modern democratic society. The electorates relied on social media as the main source of information and the basis on which they formed their opinions and voting decision. Adequate mobilization and enlightenment of the people enabled them to participate fully in the political process. Further findings showed that social media had the potential of abuse by desperate actors in the political space. Based on the findings; the researcher recommended among other things that there should be increased use of social media in all the electioneering processes. Social media should also be deployed for other forms of mass mobilization rather than leaving it for political campaigns solely. Government should put in place well-articulated guidelines (regulatory framework) on how political parties should use the online media networks for electioneering campaigns and other political activities to stem the ugly tide of utilization of the platforms for selfish reasons.

Benue Journal of Sociology

DAJO UGBA , Saka Bem

Abstract The primary aim of this paper was to examine the contribution of social media to democratization process in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. A review of literature indicates that there is lack of consensus among scholars regarding the role of social media as a democratization tool. While other scholars extol social media as critical tool in the democratization process by pointing out its role in mobilizing the people to be involved in the governance of their country and holding the leaders accountable, others believe that the emergence of social media is a threat to democracy. Those who view social media as threat to democracy often cite the problem of hate speech, fake news and manipulative campaigns in the polarization of the society. Nigeria has over the years witnessed a significant increase in the number of people using different social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Myspace, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat etc and these social media platforms have been used by different segment of the Nigeria population for political engagement. It was against this background that this paper was designed to assess the contributions of social media in the democratization process in Nigeria. Through the use of secondary sources of data such as articles, newspapers, newsletters, the paper observed that although social media is a new terrain especially in the democratization process in Nigeria with problems such as fake news, hate speech and smear campaigns, it has contributed positively to the democratization process in Nigeria by enhancing political participation, educating, sensitising and mobilising people to participate in the governance of their country. The paper therefore recommended that people must go out to mobilize citizens to participate in the political process as change cannot be effected on social media, social media websites should create more software in the local languages to increase the number of people using social media and the National Orientation Agency, Ministry of Information and civil society organizations should sensitize members of the public on the negative effect of fake news and hate speech in the society.

IOSR Journal of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS)

The place of social media to rally political support is no longer in doubt. To advance the conversation and mobilize political supports, social media has become a critical political tool for campaign planners. The 2011 general elections in Nigeria arguably marked a significant milestone in the use of social media for political communication in the country. Motivated by President Barrack Obama's successful use of Facebook to win the United States elections in 2008 as the first black American president, Nigerian politicians are indeed, gradually taking their campaigns to the social networking sites and other online platforms. Within the election period, political aspirants were disposing of all means to gear up their support base, following the realization that electioneering requires more than just handshakes and physical persuasion. This study is anchored on the theoretical frameworks of technological determinism and social judgment theory which suggest that exposure to Political campaigns encourages people to "assimilate" or equate their feelings about related target attitudes. Using electorates in the SouthEast of Nigeria, the paper explores the extent of youth involvement with the social media for electioneering process. The data generated were analyzed using frequency distribution and simple percentage. The findings indicate that the political campaigns through the new media had significant effect on the electorate's decision-making and participation in Nigerian elections. The study therefore recommends the embracing of social media for successive political campaigns that grants the electorate the interactive opportunity with the political candidates.

austin MAHO

Advances in information and communication technology are impacting the way we receive and process information. At the forefront of this development is the increased use of the social media. Social media applications like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube and a host of others have not only become an essential feature of people's daily lives it has also influenced the way people receive, process, disseminate and share information. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the social media on the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. A qualitative study design was employed in the research problem. A non-probability sampling procedure was used to draw samples for the study. Data were analyzed through thematic categorization. Emergent themes were delineated and categorised in relation to identifiable variables on social media influences on the 2015 presidential election. The results suggest that the social media has created a platform for more democratic participatory citizenry and contributed to the outcome of the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. The results of this study are significant for political parties, those seeking political office, media practitioners, social media users, policy-makers and the general public.

International Institute of Academic Research and Development

ERUDE, Shalom Ufuoma

This study is premised on the impact cum relevance of social media on elections in Nigeria, with a special focus on the 2020 gubernatorial election in Edo State, Nigeria. The social media has revolutionized the landscape of political interaction globally, and Nigeria being a key player in the scheme of things, has not been immune to this transformative phenomenon. Owing to her large population cum growing digital connectivity, the social media has emerged as a very powerful tool for disseminating information, informing public opinions, as well as mobilizing citizens during electoral processes. We made use of Max Weber (1964) Theory of Social Action. The social action theory is pertinent to this study as it takes into account both external factors (institutional factors) and internal factors (such as age, gender, religion, ethnicity, education, and perception) in explaining the voting behavior of the electorate. We also made use of both the qualitative and quantitative Method in this study. The survey method was used in the presentation and analyzing of the data. From our findings, it is evident that the role of the social media on elections in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. Also, the usage of the social media varies among age groups. The younger generation engage these tools (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc) more. Submissively, we recommend that the government should improve on the awareness of digitalization, develop different strategies for the various locations, ages, sex, and etcetera.

Chinedu Arusi

ABSTRACT In recent times, the use of social media for political campaigns has become increasingly popular; this was evident in the just concluded 2015 general elections in Ebonyi State. Scholars says that Social media in politics grew since Barack Obama broke the world record in the history of social media use for political purpose during the 2008 US presidential elections, many nations and politicians across the globe have continued to embrace the platform to mobilize their citizens and candidates towards active participation in the political process. However, the extent to which these social media platforms influence voting behaviors and formed public opinion is unclear. This led the researcher to seek to evaluate and assess the impact of social media on the 2015 Electioneering campaigns in Ebonyi State. The study was anchored on the uses and gratifications theory. The survey research method was used. Findings show that whereas many used the technology to make vital input in the political discourse, others used them to attack opponents, spread false rumours, hate and inciting messages which were believed to have contributed in the violence and tensions witnessed before, during and after the elections in many parts of the state. The work recommends urgent review of the various media laws to address the peculiar technicalities involved in monitoring and moderating the use of different social media platforms. KEYWORDS: Social Media, Political Participation, Nigeria, 2015, General Elections, Lapses, Lessons.

Abba Auwalu

The study will examine the role of social media in creating awareness with special reference to the actual effect of Facebook and Twitter on voter’s and the factors determining the behavior and attitudes that an ordinary voter adopts based on available information gotten on the social media.

RELATED PAPERS

Tabla de intereses para una cuota fija modelo alemán

Helmer Murillo

Nuclear Physics B- …

B Ananthanarayan

Archives of materials science and engineering

Emin BAYRAKTAR

Proceedings - 2012 IEEE/ACIS 11th International Conference on Computer and Information Science, ICIS 2012

Rui Pedro Marques

Revista Linhas

Fernando Freitas

Tidsskrift for kjønnsforskning

Ingunn Ikdahl

Rans. Official

Journal of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology

Mohamed Nasr

Urologia Internationalis

Aniruddha Chakravarti

Ciência Florestal

Gustavo Sartori Pottker

José Luis Cano de Gardoqui García

Vanessa Gomes

Rifky Fadillah

Proceedings of the 8th International Workshop on Software Specification and Design

David Garlan

Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association

Edmund Cibas

Environmental science & technology

The Scientific World Journal

Roman Nowobilski

Santos Murga Giraldo

International Journal of Finance & Economics

Journal of Manufacturing Processes

Bernd Baufeld

Manfred Liebel

Revista Brasileira de Entomologia

Luis Carlos Martínez

Emin Teskeredžic

Journal of evolution of medical and dental sciences

.PRATAPSINGH PARIHAR

See More Documents Like This

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Articles on Nigeria election 2023

Displaying 1 - 20 of 22 articles.

Nigeria had 93 million registered voters, but only a quarter voted: 5 reasons why

Chikodiri Nwangwu , University of Nigeria

Nigeria’s election was nearly derailed by technology - but biometric devices weren’t the problem

Abiodun Fatai , Lagos State University

Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to “renew hope” for Nigeria - 5 ways he can achieve this

Al Chukwuma Okoli , Federal University Lafia

Nigeria heads to the polls: 5 essential reads about the elections

Adejuwon Soyinka , The Conversation

Peter Obi could be the force that topples Nigeria’s two main political parties

Kester Onor , Covenant University

Bola Ahmed Tinubu: The kingmaker is now Nigeria’s president

Olayinka Oyegbile , Trinity University, Lagos

Nigerian elections are crowded with candidates: use this new tool to decide who to vote for in your area

Hakeem Onapajo , Nile University of Nigeria

Nigeria’s natural resources are under threat - urgent steps a new president must take

Emmanuel O. Akindele , Obafemi Awolowo University

Gender equality in Nigeria: Three reasons why women aren’t represented in politics

Sharon Adetutu Omotoso , University of Ibadan

How to poll 93 million voters – the challenge of pulling off Nigeria’s presidential elections

Emmanuel Remi Aiyede , University of Ibadan

Nigeria’s election: six dangers of mixing religion with politics

Adeyemi Balogun , Osun State University

Nigerian elections: Eight issues young people want the new government to address

Tope Shola Akinyetun , Lagos State University of Education

What I like and hate about Nigeria’s election campaigns - political scientist

Damilola Agbalajobi , Obafemi Awolowo University

Election violence in Nigeria’s south east is threatening to derail voting in the region

Oluwole Ojewale , Institute for Security Studies and Freedom C. Onuoha , University of Nigeria

Nigerian elections: 5 major challenges facing the country’s next president

Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election: 10 factors that could affect the outcome

Jideofor Adibe , Nasarawa State University, Keffi

Nigeria insecurity: 2022 was a bad year and points to need for major reforms

Africa’s largest democracy goes to the polls amid rising insecurity

Freedom C. Onuoha , University of Nigeria and Oluwole Ojewale , Institute for Security Studies

Nigeria’s next president faces a collapsing security situation: five things he can do

Atiku Abubakar: Nigeria’s perennial presidential candidate is back on the stump

Related topics.

• Nigeria 2023 elections
• Peacebuilding

Audience Development Coordinator (fixed-term maternity cover)

Data and Reporting Analyst

Lecturer (Hindi-Urdu)

Director, Defence and Security

Opportunities with the new CIEHF

Top contributors.

Reader (Associate Professor) Department of Political Science, Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria, Federal University Lafia

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Nile University of Nigeria

Professor of Political Institutions, Governance and Public Policy, University of Ibadan

Professor of International Relations and Political Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi

Journalist and Communications scholar, Trinity University, Lagos

Regional Coordinator, Institute for Security Studies

Lecturer, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Covenant University

Professor of Political Science, University of Nigeria

Researcher, Lagos State University of Education

Lecturer, Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University

Associate professor, Obafemi Awolowo University

Lecturer, Political Science, Federal University, Oye Ekiti

Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria

Senior Lecturer, Lagos State University

Lecturer, Osun State University

• X (Twitter)
• Unfollow topic Follow topic

• Sunday, April 07, 2024

© 2023 - Businessday NG. All Rights Reserved.