Social media is evidently a significant part of Nigeria’s political atmosphere. As internet access and the usage of smartphones proliferate, the impact of social media is likely to become more dominant.
Nigerian youths especially the Gen Zs are not sleeping on it.
The recent presidential election showed how campaign strategies moved beyond standing on an elevated stage before a large crowd with political party flags.
Twitter among other platforms was one that was greatly utilized. Labor Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi seems to have won the heart of the Nigerian youths on social media with his dream for a New Nigeria.
Labor Party’s victory in Lagos State which was supposed to be impossible considering the influence of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), showed that social media can indeed do the impossible.
It is true that elections are not won on social media and it is also true that it can be monitored to show the process. A legitimate process is therefore a legitimate win.
While we cannot tell the authenticity of all the electoral voting process videos uploaded on social media amid fake news trends by the supporters of different candidates contesting for the presidential and National Assembly seats, some of the incidents covered by voters were filmed live on social media via smartphones.
It appears that Nigeria’s presidential election may have been rigged in favor of the incumbent government. The announcement has forced the powerful oppositions (LP and PDP) to challenge the INEC results in court as well as the qualifications of APC’s presidential candidate.
With the new developments, social media hashtags on the Amended 1999 Constitution is now a thing among the youths.
By Elijah Christopher
