International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue XII, December 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Social Media and Political Mobilisation in Nigeria

Fasunwon Adebayo Folorunso Phd.
Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract:-The media is one of the key gents of political socialization. However, with the intensification of globalisation, and the embrace of culture of social media, political socialization and mobilisation has taken a new form and expression. The reach of social media transcends the traditional reach and form of the old media, with diverse consequences. Using a combination of strategy and functional theories, this study argues that the social media has become a viable and veritable tool of political mobilisation, sensitization, and socialization. The study discovered that government, activists, citizens, politicians, and political parties are able to interact and mobilize the masses, educating them on their grievances, programmes and policies through social media platforms. However, given the uncensored information, and technological manipulations of facts disseminated globally, social media has also become an avenue for broadcasting news and ideas that have mobilized people into violent political activities. This study recommends that while the positive aspects of social media, should be embraced, accepted, and enhanced by nations of the world, there is a need to control its usage in dissemination of violent prone texts and images that may lead to social and political disorders.

Keywords: Information, mobilisation, platforms, social media, violent

I. INTRODUCTION

In every democratized society, the quest for power and the agitation for change have been recurrent decimals. Politicians who seek for control seek to achieve their aims through political parties that support their ideologies, visions, and aspirations. In the same vein, those who seek to change the status and champion the ideas of revolution also form groups to actualize their visions. Both parties however cannot achieve their aims and ambitions without getting the support of the generality of the people. However, the target supporters need convincing information before they could also join the train. This is where the media comes in as a veritable tool of political socialization.