Influence of New Media on the Success of the 2015 General Elections in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the influence of the new media on the relative success of Nigeria’s 2015 general elections, particularly in the North-Central zone of the country. Survey research design was adopted, while questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. Findings showed that GSM, facebook, twitter and whatsapp, were mainly used for political campaigns in North Central Nigeria, during the 2015 general election. Findings further showed new media provided platforms for educating and mobilising electorates towards participating in electoral processes. Furthermore, findings indicated that by their advantages of on-demand access to content anytime, anywhere, the new media provided adequate, timely and accurate information on all issues and problems confronting the elections to enable the people react knowledgeably to the situations. Findings further showed that the use of new media greatly influenced the success of the 2015 general elections in North Central Nigeria. It was, therefore, concluded that, the new media had tremendous influence on the 2015 elections. Based on the findings and conclusion, it was recommended inter alia that, there is a need for INEC to collaborate with GSM service providers with a view to using new media, particularly text messages to guarantee the success of future elections.

North Central Nigeria